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Colombian
Floods 2010 – 2011
The 2010 Colombian rainy season was unusually heavy and the
continuous rainfalls in combination with unstable grounds
and dwellings located in high risk zones contributed to
widespread damage. The flooding and associated landslides
killed 174 persons, left 225 wounded and 19 others missing.
1.5 million were left homeless
We were alerted to the floods that had devastated much of
the north of Colombia at the beginning of 2011 and made
contact with the Rotary Club of Cartagena offering a
consignment of 260 standard Water-Survival Boxes. The boxes
were sent and then divided between four Rotary Clubs in
different parts of the region for distribution.
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The attached photographs show some of the boxes that were
distributed to families in Campo Alegre (Happy Camp) on the
outskirts of the town of Gramalote in the department of
North Santander. Thirty two of 40 municipalities in the
North Santander Department had been unreachable by the
debris and floods on its roads. The landslides and
avalanches in some parts affected over 60 thousand people.
The municipality of Gramalote suffered a landslide that
affected 400 homes at the periphery of the town. The entire
population was evacuated. In addition to the rain, a
geological fault made the houses in this town crumble like a
pack of cards. 100 houses collapsed and some streets and
pedestrian walkways broke open as if an earthquake had taken
place.
Members of the Rotary Club of Cucuta were responsible for
distribution as part of their on-going support to this
devastated community. Having learnt of the extent of this
disaster we now appreciate how difficult their task has been
and congratulate our Rotary friends for all they have done
to bring relief to families in such need.
We remain on standby to send further assistance to Bolivia,
Colombia and Japan if needed and continue to build up stocks
ready for the next disaster. Again we thank all those Rotary
and Inner Wheel Clubs across virtually all districts in RIBI
that have given their support. Donations to sustain our
humanitarian aid should be made out to Worldwaterworks
Limited and sent to Rotary, c/o The White House, Pensford,
Bristol BS39 4NE.
Yours in Rotary Service
Hugo Pike PHF – Chairman, Worldwaterworks Ltd
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