More than 9,000 people have been forced from their homes as heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in northwestern Uruguay.

USAID

Key Developments

Widespread flooding resulting from heavy rains displaced more than 9,000 people in northwestern Uruguay by late December 2015, according to the Government of Uruguay (GoU). Local media reported that the floods, which began in mid-December, resulted in at least two deaths and damaged houses, schools, infrastructure, and agricultural land. On December 23, 2015, the GoU National Emergencies System (SINAE) declared a state of emergency in Uruguay’s Artigas, Paysandú, Rivera, and Salto departments. SINAE facilitated evacuations of flood-affected populations, conducted needs assessments, and coordinated with humanitarian actors to respond to the emergency.

On December 26, 2015, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Brad Freden declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. In response, USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) provided $50,000 to partner organizations in Uruguay for the local procurement and distribution of emergency relief commodities, such as hygiene kits and shelter supplies, to flood-affected populations. USAID/OFDA also activated a disaster risk management specialist and a local surge capacity consultant to meet with local government agencies and partner organizations, assess flood-affected areas, and support coordination of response activities.

Background

Uruguay occasionally experiences extreme weather events resulting in the need for humanitarian interventions by local and national authorities. When these disasters require an international response, USAID/OFDA works with non-governmental organizations to meet humanitarian needs and complement government relief efforts. USAID/OFDA also supports ongoing disaster risk reduction activities and capacity-building initiatives for disaster response across the larger South America region.