Heifer International has learned that at least 1,000 Heifer project families in Peru have been affected by torrential rains which have triggered severe flooding and mudslides. Heifer Peru staff have had difficulty accessing our project areas due to damage to roads and communications lines.
Heifer International works with 4,200 families in Peru. The 1,000 affected are in the Piura region in northwestern Peru and many have lost their homes, crops and livestock, said country director Alfredo Garcia.
“Many of the projects involve beekeeping and livestock that have become isolated in higher areas. The flooding has created large bodies of water that are blocking the farmers from reaching their hives and animals,” Garcia said. “There’s going to be an immediate need for assistance in replacing animals, seeds for crops and bee hives.”
You can help families affected by disasters by donating to our Disaster Rehabilitation Fund.
Oscar Castaneda, Heifer's Vice President of the Americas, said the rains are a result of the La Nina effect. "The soil doesn't have the capacity to take in any more water, and thus the flooding followed," he said.
According to other news reports, the flooding and mudslides have killed at least 62 and left another 12,000 homeless. The flooding is expected to continue for at least another two weeks.
Learn more about our projects in Peru here.
