Machu Picchu, Cusco, Sacred Valley Disaster Relief

In early March 2023, the warming of the ocean located off the coast of Peru signaled a strong El Nino. The government declared a state of emergency as the warming of the ocean causes an increase in rainfall in the Andes. Additionally, in early March Peru experienced torrential rains due to Cyclone Yaku, the first cyclone in the Pacific in 40 years. The northern regions of Tumbes, Lambayeque, and Piura were the most damaged. The floods, river overflows and landslides have left over 300,000 people in need emergency help.

As always, in addition to the loss of life and housing, the already impoverished regions has lost critical infrastructure.   It is estimated that 200,000 households, 350 health facilities and 1,300 educational institutions are in the floods path creating massive destruction.   VIDA is focusing on sending critical medical supplies and equipment to address immediate issues as well as helping to rebuild the healthcare infrastructure.

VIDA has staged two containers ready for shipment to Peru.  As always, the cost of shipment remains an enormous challenge.  VIDA counts on the generous support of others, including the GlobalGiving community to make our mission possible.  We ask you today to join us by contributing to the costs of shipping this life saving aid to Peru.

COVID continues to plague Peru and our efforts to help Peru build out its heath care system must continue.  The political unrest that has plagued Peru over the past 5 years is now reaching a boiling point.  Whatever one thinks of the political issues confronting the country, nearly all agree that it is the poor that pay the greatest price.  With dysfunctional government the norm, critical investments to address socieital ills have stalled.  Taken all together, Peru has been unable to effectively prevent and care for the nation’s most vulnerable due to its low investment in healthcare, a severe shortage of medical professionals and a lack of basic supplies and equipment. For example, ICU capacity is limited due to the number of beds but even more so by the small number of doctors and nurses who have this level of expertise. All of these issues raise the need to help build the healthcare infrastructure. To that end, VIDA made 28 shipments in 2022 and have just sent two shippments in January2023 with two more to follow in February 2023. Shipments contain hospital beds, delivery beds, gurneys, cribs, exam tables along with hundreds of walkers and thousands of crutches as well as thousands of boxes of medical supplies including PPE and respiratory equipment and supplies to combat the virus.

A major cost in this project is the ocean freight from Oakland to Callao.. GlobalGiving donors play an important role in making these shipments possible. We hope you can join us in our mission to bring aid to Peru’s most vulnerable communities.