Bolivia : a country profile

This profile on Bolivia, one of a continually updated series of country profiles, provides baseline data to support planning and analysis of relief operations by A.I.D."s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. General sociocultural information is provided, along with a brief description of national and regional government organizations, a list of key political figures and international treaties, and a history of recent events. An assessment of Bolivia"s disaster preparedness includes an outline of the Government of Bolivia"s (GOB) National Civil Defense Plan which sets forth types and phases of disasters and lines of national and provincial authority for emergency procedures; assigns functions such as relief supplies and communications to members of the GOB Disaster Relief Committee; addresses public order, evacuation, public health and medical services (treatment priorities, epidemiological and sanitary concerns, rodent control, corpse disposal, and health education), transport logistics, communications; and provides disaster planning for earthquakes, brush and forest fires, and flooding. Although the plan was published in 1977, legislation on relief and finance has not been drawn up. Evaluation of the plan must await its translation. Also outlined is USAID/B"s disaster plan, including procedures for commodity transfer and delegation of responsibilities. Also provided in this section are lists of Bolivia"s most serious disaster types (floods and epidemics) and of U.S. and international voluntary organizations. Population distribution according to Bolivia"s 1976 census, followed by an overview of major diseases, health facilities, medical manpower resources, dietary customs, and housing statistics, are found in tabular form. The economic, agricultural, transportation, and power and communications sectors are reviewed and Bolivia"s topography is outlined. A 31-item bibliography (1958-81) is included. To date, 28 profiles on countries in Asia, Africa, South and Central America, and the Caribbean have been provided and are available upon request.