9 December 2011 Last updated at 20:39

In Pictures: Flooding in Colombia

Continued heavy rains attributed to the La Nina weather phenomenon have caused flooding across Colombia.

Large parts of the western city of Cali are under water, with levels reaching up to 1.5m (5ft) in some areas.

More than 45,000 people have been displaced in the capital, Bogota, alone.

Nationwide, the number of those whose homes have been flooded is estimated to be close to half a million.

On Friday, President Juan Manuel Santos promised those affected by the flooding would receive financial help from the government.

The president said affected families would get between 1m (£330, $520) and 3m (£1,000, $1,560) Colombian pesos before Christmas.

Latin America & Caribbean