Peru

11 March 2025

Since the end of January 2025, Peru has been experiencing landslides and river overflow from heavy rain, causing widespread destruction. By 10 March, the regions most affected included Huancavelica, Ica, Puno, and Tumbes. The impact has killed at least seven people and damaged or destroyed more than 27,000 houses. Until 7 March, heavy rainfall, landslides, and floods affected around 128,000 individuals, including over 38,000 children. This figure is likely to rise given a forecast of continued rain until April. In Tumbes region alone, severe weather has damaged or destroyed 21 health centres, 18 schools, 167km of roads, and 15,000 hectares of crops. Road destruction or damage significantly disrupts transportation and communication, while the destruction of crops increases the risk of food insecurity for those whose livelihoods depend on agriculture. The people affected require assistance with shelter, food, education, and healthcare. (OCHA 07/03/2025, ERCC accessed 11/03/2025, Plan International 06/03/2025)

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)