Amazonas State recognizes USAID’s contribution to the protection of human life
In all of the state of Amazonas approximately 83 thousand families were affected by the floods

Representing OFDA/USAID, Sherre Nelson receives an “I contributed” award from Roberto Rocha of the State of Amazonas Civil Defense

Photo: OFDA/USAID

MANAUS, October 24, 2009 - History was made in Manaus on June 24, 2009, with waters reaching the highest levels on record, which was 29,69 meters in 1953. The water level did not stop rising. On July 1, 2009 the Rio Negro reached 29,77 meters, which was 8 centimeters above the 1953 level.

In all of the state of Amazonas approximately 83 thousand families were affected by the floods. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and its Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), through an agreement with Civil Defense of the State of Amazonas donated 16 thousand humanitarian items: such as cleaning supplies, sheets and hammocks.

This past week, USAID’s contribution to the protection of human life and reducing the damage of the 2009 flood was acknowledged with the “I contributed” award from the State of Amazonas Civil Defense.