September 9, 2024, 7:24 AM
September 9, 2024, 7:24 AM
After President Luis Arce approved Decree 5219, of “National Emergency Situation” due to the fires, At least six countries have pledged their aid to Boliviaas well as international entities. These include Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, France, Switzerland and China, according to the government.
Brazil was the first country to provide assistance and sent expert forest technicians and firefighters who yesterday, together with the Armed Forces, carried out Overflights in the areas most affected by the fires in the department of Santa Cruz, including areas of the municipality of San Ignacio de Velasco.
“We have had the support of the European Union, France, Switzerland and other countries to offer Bolivia,” said Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa.
The Ministry of Defense reported that Chile also pledged its support This week, risk management specialists will assess the situation of the fires to provide the necessary support. In addition, the neighboring country will send humanitarian aid for the victims, said the Minister, Edmundo Novillo.
According to the authorityFrance pledged its support with 82 forest firefighters and Venezuela will send a contingent of firefighters with equipment and drones in the next few hours.
According to Novillo, the Republic China pledged initial economic support equivalent to more than 50 thousand dollars The European Union is also expected to provide assistance by sending aircraft to fight the fires from the air and supplies for people who are in the risk areas putting out the fires.
He also thanked Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who publicly expressed his support for Bolivia, which “has generated greater momentum and greater interest from other countries to cooperate in mitigating the fires.”
The data
According to the Government, so far this year, 3.8 million hectares were consumed by the forest firesof which 1.5 million hectares are forested areas and 2.3 million hectares are grassland areas. There is no exact figure for how many wild animals died in the fire.
The situation is critical, until yesterday it was reported that there are 72 active fire points in the country, Of which 64 are in the department of Santa Cruz, six in Beni, one in Pando and one in the Amazon region of La Paz.
The declaration of national emergency It was presented at a meeting of the commission of the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Planning and Environment with representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations accredited in Bolivia to coordinate actions to mitigate the fires as soon as possible.
