Inaugurations of SOS Children's Village facilities in Bolivia cancelled for now

In Bolivia there have been demonstrations against the policies of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada for weeks, amongst other reasons caused by the plans to build a pipeline for natural gas exports to Chile. During recent days the turmoil has intensified dramatically and last weekend several people died in the clashes.

La Paz, the seat of the government, is suffering food and fuel shortages because of roadblocks and strikes, all flights to and from the airport have been suspended.

So far, the SOS Children's Village facilities have not been affected by the hostilities, and there is no shortage of supplies. Nevertheless, due to the precarious situation in the country, the scheduled opening ceremonies, which would have been attended by Helmut Kutin, president of SOS Children's Villages, and other prominent guests, have been cancelled for the time being.

Official opening ceremonies had been planned at: SOS Social Centre in Potosí (14 October), SOS Vocational Training Centre for girls ("Cenfotec Feminina") in La Paz (16 October) and SOS Children's Village El Alto, situated some 4,000 metres above sea level near La Paz (17 October).