IOM Peru has distributed hygiene, kitchen and shelter kits to 1,100
families affected by the recent floods in the Amazon region of
Loreto, located in northeast Peru.

“It’s very important to reach the most vulnerable
communities.  These families have been living in tents,
without electricity and water, exposed to diarrhea and upper
respiratory infections.  With this emergency assistance they
will be able to rebuild their homes and return to normalcy,”
says César Estrella, IOM Programme Coordinator in Peru.

The IOM emergency assistance included wood, nails and advice
from IOM staff on weatherproofing and rebuilding techniques. It
also included kitchen and hygiene kits containing pots, pans,
dishes, glasses and utensils, personal hygiene items, laundry soap,
blankets, mosquito nets and rubber boots.

According to official estimates 200,000 people were severely
affected by the heavy rains that have flooded the Loreto region
since late February.  Farmers lost 26,000 hectares of crops.
Some 38 health centres and more than 1,600 schools were also
flooded and damaged.

The IOM emergency assistance was provided with funding of USD
400,000 from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF).

As part of its emergency response, IOM installed some 150
showers, more than 70 kitchens and carried out basic repairs in all
37 targeted shelters.  It also organized a workshop for public
officials, shelter managers and civil society organizations on camp
management and detecting and countering human trafficking in
emergency situations.

For more information, please contact

 

Carolina Santos

IOM Peru

Tel: + 51-1 221-7209 Ext. 145

Email: "mailto:casantos@iom.int">casantos@iom.int