UN provides technical and humanitarian assistance in wake of severe floods in Peru

Major floods which have killed at least 16 people and affected 46,000 others in northeastern Peru have prompted United Nations agencies to send in logistical and humanitarian support.

The departments of San Martin and Huanuco have been hit by heavy rains since late last December, resulting in landslides and overflowing rivers, as well as destruction of infrastructure and crops, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. To date, 9,100 homes have been destroyed and more than 1,200 have been affected.

The Peruvian Government has supplied over 100 tons of food and aid supplies to flood-ravaged areas.

To augment these efforts, the UN Emergency Technical Team has conducted an evaluation mission with the Government to assess the damage and has also identified key priorities, such as improving transportation routes, providing access to clean water and food and dealing with the loss of crops.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is coordinating with other groups to provide clean water through the use of chlorine kits and water reservoirs.

Meanwhile in Africa, floods have also ravaged western Burundi, according to OCHA. Despite efforts by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to rush food aid to survivors, it “does not have enough food to help all those in need,” a UN spokesman told reporters today.