OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Bolivia - Social Conflict
12 November 2003


Appeal for assistance to repair damage

1. Situation

Social and economic demands together with the Government's plan for
exporting national gas led to large demonstrations that caused violent
clashes, especially during the week of 11 to 17 October.  According to the
most recent information, around 70 people died and 400 were wounded.
Impact on infrastructure included damage to: roads, railroads, parks,
electric posts, traffic lights, footbridges, urban and public properties
and facilities.

2. The strongest demonstrations occurred in the cities of La Paz and El
Alto but also affected the cities of Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and Oruro. All
access highways to La Paz were blocked and access to the international
airport of El Alto was interrupted. On 18 October, President Gonzalo
Sanchez de Losada resigned and was replaced by Vice-President Carlos Mesa.

3. National Response

Resources from both national and local governments are insufficient to
cover all the expenses to repair damage caused in relation with the
demonstrations.

4. International Response

The Government of Bolivia has issued Decree No. 27233 declaring the
municipalities of La Paz and El Alto as an emergency zone and has made an
appeal for assistance to the international community. A meeting between
the Government and the international community was held on 24 October
2003, at the Presidency, where the mayors of La Paz and El Alto presented
their needs for rehabilitation activities.  The President of Bolivia has
requested UN Resident Coordinator to coordinate international assistance.

5. ESTIMATED COST OF REQUIREMENTS - EL ALTO

|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Description                      |  Cost in USD |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Cleaning of debris and drainages |        2,500 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Repair  of public properties and |      370,000 |
| facilities                       |              |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Repair or roads                  |          900 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| TOTAL COST                       |      373,400 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|



6. ESTIMATED COST OF REQUIREMENTS - LA PAZ

|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Description                      |  Cost in USD |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Cleaning of debris and drainages |       53,000 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Repair of public properties and  |       78,000 |
| facilities                       |              |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Repair of roads                  |       12,000 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Operational expenses             |       24,000 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| Less Government contribution     |       23,288 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|
| TOTAL COST                       |      143,712 |
|----------------------------------+--------------|



|--------------------------------+-------------|
| Total amount requested from    | USD 517,112 |
| the international community    |             |
|--------------------------------+-------------|


7. OCHA is prepared to serve as channel for cash contributions, in
coordination/consultation with relevant organizations in the United
Nations system. For banking details please contact the Desk Officers
indicated below. OCHA provides donors with written confirmation and
pertinent details concerning the utilization of the funds contributed.

8. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform OCHA Geneva,
on pledges/contributions and their corresponding values by item.

9. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator
in Bolivia.

10. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. E. Haegglund / Mr. R. Mena / Ms. Isabel Garcia-Gill
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917-3299 / 1455 / 1618

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40


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