Country Director Daniel Zeidan reports on our response to landslides in La Paz, Bolivia.

In February 2011, following heavy rainfall and landslides in La Paz, a large area in the Alto Irpavi neighborhood collapsed with approximately 576 homes destroyed and 499 families (2,348 people) displaced.

Other infrastructure that was affected by the landslide included a private school, a bridge, and the main road to the area. After assessing the needs, Samaritan's Purse decided to invest in a transitional shelter project on land provided by the local municipality of La Paz. About a month ago, Samaritan's Purse received the news that land was finally found and that we could start construction.

In the meantime, displaced families were being housed in schools, tent camps, and other temporary shelters which, with winter approaching fast and temperatures falling especially at night, were no longer adequate.

The project used a design of a transitional shelter comprised of timber panels and a tin roof, made from locally sourced materials. Each shelter was large enough for an average family of five members.

Volunteers from local churches helped us build 25 shelters in late May. Many of the Samaritan's Purse builders were able to to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the beneficiary families, and also encourage them to trust the Lord in their time of loss.

Samaritan's Purse , Bolivia , Emergency Relief , Building Shelters in Bolivia

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