Floods leave thousands homeless in Peru
Plan Peru delivering aid
12 February 2010: Plan teams in Peru are providing aid and support to communities devastated by flooding and landslides after weeks of heavy rain.
According to the Peruvian Civil Defence, 7 people have died and more than 9,000 people have lost their homes.
In the Cusco area, where Plan works, rain falling since 23 January caused the rivers Vilcanota, Huatanay and Jatumayo to burst their banks, while Zurite was hit by landslides, bringing mud and debris up to the second floor of the Zurite Municipal building.
Other severely affected areas are Lucre and Huacarpay in the Quispicanchis province. Huacarpay town virtually disappeared in the floods and community members have yet to decide whether they will move to a newly designated district or attempt to go back to their homeland, which is now a high risk zone.
Plan action
Drinking water tanks provide vital supplies to communities
Plan has delivered 500 emergency shelter kits and warm clothing kits for children in shelters across Huacarpay and Zurite.
We are installing 5 drinking water tanks in Huacarpay and another 6 in Zurite, and designing psychosocial centres to help traumatised people living in the shelters. Plan is also supporting the 25 mobile health brigades and team of 40 psychologists sent out by the Peruvian Regional Health Directive (COER) with food and supplies.
Meteorologists have warned that seasonal rains will be intense in February, leading to concerns for those in shelters, and others whose homes may be in danger. Food security is still a concern, as many crops and livestock were washed away in the floods.
Bolivia emergency
Parts of neighbouring Bolivia are also experiencing extreme weather conditions causing floods and landslides around the capital La Paz.
Though Plan Bolivia has no programme units in the La Paz municipality, staff from our country office have been working with the local government to help families living in emergency shelters.
Plan Bolivia is preparing kits containing hygienic supplies, powdered milk, a thermos and blankets for people in the shelters. Toys will also be supplied to provide children with some entertainment. Children are thought to make up at least 40% of the population affected by the flooding.
