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USAID Provides Flood Assistance to Nicaragua

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2007
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On behalf of the American people, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided $50,000 to humanitarian organizations for the local purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies as a result of the recent floods in Nicaragua.

Since October 9, ongoing heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in more than 170 communities in nine departments, including Chinandega, Estelí, Jinotega, León, and Matagalpa in northwestern Nicaragua. Initial reports from the U.S. embassy indicate that the floods resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, affected approximately 20,000 others, caused severe damage to the agricultural sector in some areas, and damaged roads, bridges, and houses, including more than 270 houses in Matagalpa Department alone. At the height of the emergency, approximately 6,000 persons evacuated flood- and landslide-prone areas and relocated to 76 temporary shelters, including 33 shelters in Chinandega and Matagalpa departments.

On October 19, U.S. Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. A USAID disaster specialist deployed to Nicaragua is coordinating the humanitarian response with USAID/Nicaragua and Government of Nicaragua counterparts.

In fiscal year 2007, USAID emergency humanitarian assistance programs responded to more than 70 disasters in 56 countries, providing over $368 million to help those in need. In addition to responding to disasters, USAID works to build local capacity and expertise that prepares for disasters, mitigates the impact of disasters, responds to disasters and rebuilds after disasters. Since 1998, USAID has funded more than $57 million in preparedness and mitigation programs in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

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