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You're watching UNICEF Television.

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Much of Bolivia's Department of Beni lies underwater.

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Since December, heavy rains have caused major rivers to overflow, destroying crops and isolating

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communities.

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The humanitarian situation remains critical in this flooded region of the Amazon.

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Up to 40% of flood victims here are children, living with their parents in provisional shelters

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set up in public schools or in tents.

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When we went to sleep at night, there was nothing.

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And then when we got up, we were surrounded by water because it was completely flooded.

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In affected communities, health authorities have been concerned over the potential for

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water and sanitation-related diseases.

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Medical attention to children has been a priority.

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Right now we've had a lot of problems.

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Acute respiratory infections, skin infections typical of mud, and all the problems associated

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with unsafe water.

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And right now the worst has yet to come, when the waters return and infections break out

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again.

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In the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni and Cochabamba, UNICEF and its partners are providing

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humanitarian assistance in the areas of water, sanitation, food, shelter and education, with

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an eye out to protecting children's welfare until the situation stabilizes.

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This is Sabine Dolan reporting for UNICEF Television.

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Unite for Children.