ACT members in
Peru, Diaconia, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and PREDES
report that the intense cold wave continues to affect the Andean area
in Peru. Snowstorms have particularly affected the southern part of
the country – the most affected areas being the highlands where the
poorest and most vulnerable people live. These people rely on their
llama and alpaca products for survival.
The number of affected
population continues to grown according to the National Institute of
Civil Defense (INDECI). As at 25 July more than 300,000 people had been
affected, 46 children had died of pneumonia, 3,428 houses had been destroyed,
146,000 livestock lost and 1,198,596 livestock affected.
The government has
declared a state of emergency in eight Regions: Apurímac, Arequipa,
Ayacucho, Cusco, Moquegua, Puno, Huancavelica and Tacna. The Red Cross,
the Ministries of Agriculture and Health and the UN agencies have been
responding to the immediate needs of the population with food, clothes
and blankets. However, due to the extent of the damage and the difficulties
in accessing the areas due to bad road conditions and the altitude (4,000
meters above sea level) aid is still insufficient.
ACT members in Peru
have already assessed the situation in the affected areas where they
are operational and they are in the process of preparing an appeal.
Areas of intervention: DIACONIA in Ayacucho, Lutheran World Relief in
Huancavelica and PREDES in Moquegua y Arequipa.
The ACT CO would
appreciate any indications of possible support for the forthcoming appeal.
