“The purpose of this Supreme Decree is to declare a national disaster situation in the framework of Law 602, of November 14, 2014, on Risk Management”, says the document read by the Minister of the Presidency, Maria Nela Prada, in the presence of the President, Luis Arce.

The declaration followed a meeting between the President and the governor of the department of Santa Cruz, Mario Aguilera, some mayors of the municipalities affected by the fire and several ministers, to evaluate fire suppression.

Based on the regulations, the central government and the autonomous territorial entities will implement response and recovery actions for the sectors and population affected by the disaster.

Additionally, the relevant ministries will manage and channel international cooperation for disaster relief.

Likewise, the central Government will give priority to international cooperation promoted by autonomous departmental, municipal and indigenous native peasant governments.

Article 6 of the SD stipulates that the necessary budgetary modifications will be made at the Ministry of Economy and Public Finances, to tend to the disaster.

Also, the Ministry of Development Planning, in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, will formulate a post-disaster recovery plan, with the participation of other related ministries.

President Luis Arce indicated that the declaration of national disaster seeks to activate all possible actions and efforts to combat the losses, and urged legislators to approve credits totaling US$ 325 million.

Ied/abo/ro/jpm