wfn.org | El Nino rains bring floods to Argentina

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

May 21, 1998	Contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York      {315}

  
By Jim Perdue*

ROSARIO, Argentina (UMNS) -- Heavy rains blamed on El Nino have
contributed to what some Argentineans are calling the worst flooding in
history.

The Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina is continuing its relief
efforts in the flooded areas and laying plans for long-range recovery
work. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) also is
responding to requests for assistance.

In April, after an unusually wet summer, heavy rains began falling in
the northeast provinces. By early May, the major rivers had far exceeded
flood level, forcing the evacuation of more than 84,000 people,
according to the Argentine military, which was involved in the rescue
and relief efforts.

The rain poses a threat to indigenous people whose sole annual income
comes from the harvest. It has damaged crops in the provinces of
Misiones, Resistencia, Entre Rios, Formosa and Santa Fe. El Nino rains
also have caused flash flooding in the southwest and Argentina's desert
south, and more flooding is possible.

The northeast has lost 50 percent of its cotton and rice crops,
according to estimates by Cesar Rebella of the National Institute of
Agriculture and Technology. Also threatened are 20 percent of the
sunflower harvest, 80 percent of the soy crops and 50 percent of the
corn crops, all of which are still in the fields.

Methodist churches have been involved in various interfaith relief
efforts, including those organized by the Joint Committee on Aid of the
National Council of Christian Evangelicals. Food, clothing, medicine,
potable water, milk, infant supplies, mattresses and other necessities
have been provided to flood victims.
 
Assessments are being made for long-term recovery, according to Mabel
Filippini, the joint committee's Methodist representative. Top
priorities, she said, include the repair and rebuilding of dwellings in
the poorer neighborhoods, and aid for indigenous people and communities
who have lost their annual harvest income.

Methodist Bishop Aldo Etchegoyen said he expects the church to do
long-term work in  public health, potable water delivery, education, and
housing repair and reconstruction. Also important, the bishop added, is
the church's pastoral presence.

Donations for Argentina's flood relief can be made to UMCOR through El
Nino Advance No. 982328-6. Checks can be sent through local churches or
directly to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115.

# # #

*Perdue is a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global
Ministries.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/

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