Bolivia
Bolivian Red Cross provided psychosocial support and first aid to people affected by civil unrest
The months of October and November 2019, in the main cities of Bolivia, a series of civil unrest occurred after the elections held on October 20. During and after the conflicts, the Bolivian Red Cross mobilized more than 610 volunteers nationwide, who provided 1,245 cases of first aid and pre-hospital care and 900 cases of psychosocial support. These services were provided in La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Oruro, PotosĂ and El Alto, in areas with large numbers of people, such as parks and fairs. The action plan called “Civil Unrestâ€? was aimed at journalists, police and military personnel, miners, public officials, and above all, residents of the communities or neighborhoods where acts of violence were reported. Additionally, through artistic spaces - such as puppets, theatre, games, mimes, among others - the volunteers raised awareness among the population about the importance of free transit of emergency vehicles and ambulances, and the normal development of the work carried out by health personnel, in times of peace and conflict. Another important axis of the operation was oriented to media workers. Each branch issued a public invitation for journalists, cameramen and communicators in general to take part in training on Basic Safety in Journalistic Coverage, due to the complexity of their daily activities. In addition, and like the rest of the beneficiaries, they were also given support in Psychosocial Care, benefiting more than 100 people.
21
