Colombia - flooding relief programme

The heavy rainfall which began during the last weeks of November 2010, generated a substantial rise in flow rate of the San Juan river. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities in the vicinity of the river were affected. As the flooding destroyed their subsistence crops, a total of 285 families (1619 individuals), mainly children, became unable to secure food. See the video of our June 2011 mission.

The flooding relief programme covers the following items distributed during a period of two months (2 distributions):

• a food pack covering the needs of a family of six: 2 adults, 4 children
• essential toiletries
• kitchen items including pans, cups, plates and eating utensils
• water purification tablets

Context: The rural native and Afro-Colombian populations in the Buenaventura community are situated on the banks of the San Juan river.

Flooding during the rainy season mainly affects the populations of Bajo Sanjuan, Malaguita, Cuellar, Puerto Pizarro, Cabeceras de Chachajo and Agua Clara, all of whom live in conditions of extreme poverty.

Ecotechsy works with the local authorities in order to determine the priorities of its activities and programs.