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OAS EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH BOLIVIA OVER IMPACT OF “EL NIÑO”

  February 9, 2007

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, expressed his sorrow to the government of Bolivian President Evo Morales and to the people of Bolivia for the human lives lost as a result of “El Niño,” the weather anomaly that has affected that country since December.

Speaking on behalf of the OAS member states, the Secretary General lamented the human toll caused by this natural phenomenon, which to date has taken 38 lives, affected nearly 34,000 families and caused serious damage to the Bolivian economy. El Niño has produced heavy rains and flooding in the eastern part of the country and drought in the altiplano region.

Insulza said the OAS, through its Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund, will make a $15,000 contribution to the Bolivian government to help its victim-assistance efforts.

Reference: E-039/07