El Nino rains bring floods to Argentina
5/21/1998 News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646) 369-3759 · New York 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.
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*Perdue is a missionary with the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
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