Skip to main content

Country analysis

Peru


Peru is the second-largest host country for Venezuelan asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants, as both a destination and a transit point to the south of the continent. As at December 2023, 1,610,000 Venezuelans lived in the country, around a million of whom required humanitarian assistance. Most of them resided in the western departments of Arequipa, Callao, Ica, La Libertad, and Piura.

Food access, healthcare, socioeconomic integration, protection services, and shelter are their priority needs. Venezuelans on the move suffered limited mobility and access to food and basic services in 2023 because of political and social instability, aggravated by months-long protests, security measures on the southern border with Chile, food scarcity, and a dengue outbreak.

The Peruvian economy suffered a sharp contraction because of the COVID-19 pandemic, from which it has not been able to recover, creating a further challenge for Venezuelan migrants in accessing the formal labour market and affording basic goods and services.

Peru is vulnerable to natural hazards, including heavy rains during the rainy season (December/January to March) and earthquakes. Flooding and landslides regularly damage infrastructure and agricultural land, driving shelter, food, health, and WASH needs.

(R4V 02/12/2023, FE accessed 07/02/2024, MINAM 28/10/2022, Salud con lupa 02/01/2023)

Peru is the second-largest host country for Venezuelan asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants, as both a destination and a transit point to the south of the continent. As at December 2023, 1,610,000 Venezuelans lived in the country, around a million of whom required humanitarian assistance. Most of them resided in the western departments of Arequipa, Callao, Ica, La Libertad, and Piura.

Food access, healthcare, socioeconomic integration, protection services, and shelter are their priority needs. Venezuelans on the move suffered limited mobility and access to food and basic services in 2023 because of political and social instability, aggravated by months-long protests, security measures on the southern border with Chile, food scarcity, and a dengue outbreak.

The Peruvian economy suffered a sharp contraction because of the COVID-19 pandemic, from which it has not been able to recover, creating a further challenge for Venezuelan migrants in accessing the formal labour market and affording basic goods and services.

Peru is vulnerable to natural hazards, including heavy rains during the rainy season (December/January to March) and earthquakes. Flooding and landslides regularly damage infrastructure and agricultural land, driving shelter, food, health, and WASH needs.

(R4V 02/12/2023, FE accessed 07/02/2024, MINAM 28/10/2022, Salud con lupa 02/01/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

20 February 2024

In 2024, there have been over 13,000 reported cases of dengue in Peru, a more than 50% increase compared to the beginning of 2023. Piura, located in the north of the country, has the highest number of cases. These cases are occurring during a period of warmer-than-average weather caused by El Niño. Public health officials in Peru warn that the caseload could exceed 100,000 by midyear. People affected require access to WASH and healthcare services. (OCHA 16/02/2024)

11 January 2024

Since the end of 2023, heavy rainfall has caused floods and landslides in the northern department of Loreto, Peru, affecting at least 5,000 people and damaging more than 1,300 houses. Flooding has also affected communities in central Huánuco department. National authorities are leading the response. Affected communities require shelter, food, and water. (ERCC accessed 16/01/2024, ECHO 11/01/2024, PAHO 03/01/2024)

03 May 2023

Since early March 2023, heavy rains resulting from the El Niño coastal phenomenon have resulted in flooding and landslides in the northern coastal areas and city of Lima in Peru. As at 3 May, the rains had affected more than 520,000 people and destroyed almost 30,000 homes, with numbers expected to rise in the coming days. Current climate predictions forecast heavy rains in the next few weeks, which could affect the emergency response and increase levels of need. The main needs are food, access to safe water, sanitation, health services (especially to prevent vector-borne diseases), protection, and livelihoods. Damage to schools has left at least 95,000 children and adolescents without access to education. The affected area also includes a transit area for Venezuelans travelling to Ecuador, but the number of Venezuelans affected remains unknown. Damage to roads and bridges is restricting humanitarian access to some areas. (OCHA 03/05/2023, AECID 03/05/2023, EuroesEuro 06/05/2023).

08 April 2023

Heavy rains since early March and the passage of Cyclone Yaku have caused flooding and landslides in Peru, especially in the northern coastal area and Lima city.


As at 6 April, some 241,000 people have been affected and at least 95,000 homes and 275 health centres have been damaged or destroyed. Although the number of Venezuelans affected is unknown, Tumbes, the main entry point for Venezuelans travelling from Ecuador was affected by the floods. Urgent humanitarian needs include access to safe drinking water and the repair of water distribution systems, as there is an increased risk of waterborne diseases and malaria. 63,000 hectares of crops have been affected or lost. Some roads have been damaged, so access to the north is restricted.

(UNICEF 08/04/2023, Infobae accessed 11/04/2023)

current crises
in Peru


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

PER002 - Venezuelan refugees

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.9 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

REG002 - Venezuela Regional Crisis

Last updated 28/11/2023


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Peru

Peru: Humanitarian impact of heavy rainfall and flooding

19 March 2024

Peru: Humanitarian impact of heavy rainfall and flooding

DOCUMENT / PDF / 708 KB

This report seeks to alert humanitarian respoIt provides an overview of seasonal forecasts for March–May 2024, which may prolong or aggravate existing needs and affect different parts of the country.nders and decision makers about the current humanitarian impacts of heavy rainfall and flooding in Peru.

Natural hazards
Peru: Earthquake in the Amazon region

16 December 2021

Peru: Earthquake in the Amazon region

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

On 28 November 2021, an earthquake occurred in the district of Barranca, Datem del Marañón province, department of Loreto. Over 5,100 houses, 518 schools, and 71 hospitals were affected. The earthquake has destroyed several roads and caused the Utcubamba River to overflow. 

Natural hazards
Peru: Influx of Venezuelans in Tumbes

25 June 2019

Peru: Influx of Venezuelans in Tumbes

DOCUMENT / PDF / 434 KB

Arrivals of Venezuelan refugees and migrants via Ecuador at Peru’s northern border at Tumbes saw a significant increase at the beginning of June in the lead up to new and stricter entry requirements. Between 8 and 15 June, some 34,000 people arrived at the border, causing long backlogs in processing and adding pressure on humanitarian assistance. 

Mixed migration
Peru: floods

22 March 2017

Peru: floods

DOCUMENT / PDF / 340 KB

Since December 2016, above-average rains have caused flooding and landslides in 24 of the 25 regions of Peru. Over 99,000 people have suffered losses and over 600,000 people have been affected. 12 regions have declared a state of emergency. Piura and Lambayeque in the northwest, and Ica and Arequipa in the southwest are most affected. 

Natural hazards
View more