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USAID Provides Assistance to Costa Rica Flood Victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2005
2005-085
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to continuous heavy rains since September 19 which caused extensive flooding in the provinces of Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Puntarenas, and San Jose in the Pacific and Central Valley of Costa Rica, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it will provide $50,000 in disaster assistance to the affected area.
The Costa Rica flooding has killed eight people, damaged more than 400 homes, and forced the evacuation of more than 1,600 people. In addition, the heavy rains caused landslides and extensive damage to public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, sewage systems, aqueducts, dams, schools, and power grids, isolating many affected communities from assistance. The Government of the Republic of Costa Rica's National Commission for the Prevention of Risks and Attention to Emergencies (CNE) has established temporary shelters in accessible areas, while airlifting food and emergency relief supplies to isolated areas. An additional 150 mm of precipitation is forecast to fall over the Central Pacific and Southern zones of the country over the next three days.
On September 30, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Russell L. Frisbie declared a disaster due to the magnitude of the damage caused by the flooding. In response, USAID is providing $50,000 to CNE for the local purchase of emergency relief supplies, water, and food. USAID will continue to monitor the situation closely from the Regional Office in San Jose and provide additional assistance as necessary.
Please visit our website for more information on USAID's efforts in Latin America: http://www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean/
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years. For more information on USAID, visit: http://www.usaid.gov.
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