Peru

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)