Humanitarian Aid

Since 1994, ECHO has provided more than €51 million in humanitarian aid to Peru to help the victims of floods, landslides and cold waves, which affect the country almost every year. Major earthquakes have also hit Peru in recent decades, such as the Pisco earthquake – the most devastating in the country's recent history – that struck the area of Pisco in August 2007, leaving more than 500 people dead and 150 000 homeless. ECHO responded with €8 million to cover the immediate needs of more than 250000 people affected.

The Commission's humanitarian aid has helped fund life saving assistance for those affected by disasters. It is worth noting that more than one third of the aid – 36% – has been devoted to projects that aim to improve the communities and authorities' preparedness for dealing with emergencies. Increasing resilience and disaster preparedness constitute a key part of ECHO's work in Peru.

For 2010-12, ECHO has earmarked almost €7 million in aid for disaster response and disaster preparedness.

  • Disaster response: Since 2011, ECHO has been addressing the needs of 25 000 people severely affected by the worst flooding in 18 years in Ucayali, in the Amazon basin. Heavy and continuous rains in 2011 increased water levels to 20 metres (as opposed to 4 metres in normal flooding), destroying health centres and 43 500 hectares of crops, and causing a critical blow to household economy and local food security (the population is on the verge of a food crisis). ECHO's first emergency assistance amounting to €200 000 was followed by an Emergency Decision totalling €2 million that will ensure the most vulnerable and affected populations get relief. ECHO also provided €350 000 in assistance to treat a dengue outbreak that affected Peru and Bolivia.
  • Disaster preparedness: The current South America Disaster Preparedness Plan, launched in April 2011 to help communities, local authorities and institutions in eight countries reduce the riss of disaster and prepare more effectively for emergencies, allocates €2.2 million to Peru. Seven projects are being implemented in the departments of Ancash, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, Lima and La Libertad, covering risks associated with cold waves, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, flooding and mudslides.