Common pots of solidarity in Peru: Camillians' emergency response to flooding - Concluded

Since last October 2022, weather forecasts in Peru have warned of heavy rains in the northern and central parts of the country. However, due to the country's ongoing political crisis, there was no adequate awareness or timely preparation of the population for these natural disasters. These types of phenomena (torrential rains, landslides, and others) are not new to Peru, but neither the political authorities nor the population were sufficiently prepared to counteract the effects of cyclone YAKU. As reported by El País (18.03.2023), "this phenomenon, and the rainy season in general, has so far caused 61 deaths, 12,200 people affected, and 1,326 houses destroyed. Economic losses have been estimated at 4 billion dollars, as reported by former Economy Minister Alonso Segura." The Camillians are preparing to mobilize support for populations affected by the floods in two poor suburbs of Lima - Jicamarca (San Juan de Lurigancho) and the highlands of Chaclacayo, affected by landslides that destroyed homes and schools, and in the northwestern cities of Trujillo and Tumbes. The general objective of the emergency intervention is to support 400 families affected by the floods by distributing non-perishable food for one month. Coordination with religious congregations began on March 20 and the first distribution of relief goods starts on March 27. Neighborhood organization and management of available resources will be promoted to support relief efforts. Activities will be carried out in collaboration with the religious communities of the Daughters of Charity, the Religious of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who operate in Chaclacayo and Jicamarca, the Brothers of St. Joseph of Trujillo, and the community of the Reparative Religious of the Sacred Heart of Tumbes. The planned activities are as follows: a) purchase of non-perishable food items: rice, sugar, milk, oil, pasta (soup and pasta), tuna, oatmeal, and beans; b) strategic coordination with our partners in the affected areas to ensure effective delivery; and c) support and supervision of the delivery of food to beneficiaries. By May, at the end of the emergency response, we will have helped 400 families in the most critical moments, carried out a coordinated and effective response with religious congregations in the affected communities, and renewed hope for the affected population.

With the help of CADIS International, a total of 428 families were assisted (150 families in Jicamarca, 98 families in Alto Trujillo, 100 families in the Conibo Shipibo Community, 90 families in AA. HH El Rodeo and Cruz Blanca) for a total of 1,753 people benefited. The Camillians in Peru collaborated with some religious communities who responded with generosity and willingness to requests for help for the victims, such as the Sagrados Corazones (Jicamarca), Hijas de la Caridad (Chaclacayo), Reparadoras del Sagrado Corazón (Tumbes), and the religious order (Trujillo). They encouraged and mobilized the population and institutions, who collaborated in the preparation of food baskets and the transport of food to the areas.

Jicamarca

It is a mountain farming community in the district of San Antonio de Chaclla, in the province of Huarochirí, in the department of Lima, at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level. Pedro Vidarte, priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart and parish priest of Nuestra Señora de la Paz, coordinated the delivery of food and other supplies to those affected. The donation was delivered to the parish on April 5 by Mr. Alberto Mendez, together with some workers from Hogar San Camilo. The total number of people benefited was about 500 or 150 families.

Trujillo

Trujillo is one of the twelve cities in the department of La Libertad, on the northern coast of Peru. Trujillo is one of the provinces most affected by cyclone Yaku. The city was covered in mud due to landslides and completely flooded. Houses were completely destroyed and many roads were impassable due to mud and water. Father Clever Huamán, Camillian religious and chaplain of the Hospital de Alta Complejidad Virgen de la Puerta, AA.HH Alto Trujillo was in charge of delivering the communal pot in "Semillas del saber". The activity benefited 98 families, or 365 individuals. The activity was carried out on April 20.

Chaclacayo

The district of Chaclacayo is one of the forty-three districts of Lima. The Camillians collaborated with the Daughters of Charity (Vincentians) to bring help to this area. Together with the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary, they supported people affected by landslides. They focused on the upper part of Chaclacayo, where aid was minimal and in an area populated by immigrants from the Conibo-Shipibo community. The food baskets were delivered on April 22. The total number of beneficiaries was 100 families, about 420 people assisted.

Tumbes

It is one of the twenty-four departments that, together with the Constitutional Province of Callao, form the Republic of Peru. It is located in the far northwest of the country. Cyclone Yaku "created havoc in several cities with heavy rains and overflowing rivers. The intense rains recorded in the Tumbes region have left a total of 749 houses and 2,092 people affected." (Source: Diario Gestión)

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart have a community in the city of Tumbes. They organized the distribution of food. With the help of volunteers, the food sacks were distributed in two days. The total number of beneficiaries was 90 families or 468 people. The Camillians of Peru are grateful for the support of CADIS for the efforts made to bring relief to families affected in different parts of the country.