ACT member Lutheran World Relief (Peru) reports
that since the beginning of January 2003, the Peruvian regions of
Puno (Lake Titicaca) and Madre de Dios (the rainforest and border
with Bolivia and Brazil) have suffered extremely heavy rainfalls.
The level of Lake Titicaca is now at 3,810.2 meters above sea level
and is increasing daily by 2 cm.
A two-month state of emergency for the regions was declared
by the government on January 28 in order to attend to the needs of
those affected by the extreme weather conditions.
The areas most affected in Puno are Huancané,
Putina, Azángaro, Asillo and San Anton. Seven people are reported
to have lost their lives. Reports also indicate that 7, 7000 families
have been affected, that 700 rural adobe houses have been destroyed,
that 2,373 houses have been damaged and that 30,000 hectares of arable
land has been damaged. 680 hectares of crops have also been destroyed
and 7,000 cattle lost. 44 schools and 1 health center have been damaged,
while 7 bridges have collapsed and 5 km of roads destroyed.
In Madre de Dios rainfall and flooded rivers have damaged
the houses of 1,850 families in 25 villages. In total, 1,200 people
have been affected and 4,000 hectares of arable land destroyed. The
districts that have been worst affected are: Madre de Dios, Lagarto,
Boca Amigo, Boca Colorado, Huaypetue, Laberinto, Tambopata, Puerto
Viejo and Choque.
The Peruvian Government is responding to the populations'
needs through the Regional Emergency Operation Center (COER). In Puno,
the National Civil Defense (INDECI), has provided 95 tons of food
and material aid consistent of cold food, tents, clothes, woolen covers,
cooking materials, beds, bed covers, tools, plastic, rubber boots
and medicines to 2,362 affected families. Temporary shelters have
also been provided. PRONAA (the government food program) has provided
54,6 tons of food.
In Madre de Dios, INDECI provided 18 tons of cloths,
covers, beds, tents and food. ACT-Peru is assessing the needs
of the population in order to follow-up on the emergency situation.
(LWR-ARO heads up the coordination of ACT-Peru for 2003.)
Although rainfall has slowed down during the last 24
hours, SENAMHI (the Peruvian Weather Service) foresees heavy rainfall
for the end of January and the beginning of February. The rainy season
has only just started in the Peruvian Highlands and can last until
the end of March to mid-April.
