Torrential Rain in Peru

Several areas in the Andes Mountains and jungle areas of Peru were severely impacted by torrential rains during the week of January 18, 2010. On Monday, January 18th, torrential rains in the state of Ayacucho caused widespread damage and some deaths. The following letter, from Pastor Samuel Montes, President of the Presbytery of Huanta, was sent to Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson, PC(USA) Delegations and Partnerships Coordinators in Peru. We thank Sara and Rusty for their translation of Samuel’s letter and for informing us of the disaster that has affected our brothers and sisters in Peru. Sharon Presbyterian Church will be responding with financial assistance during the week of January 25, 2010. Please keep these precious people in your thoughts and prayers.BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST AND FRIENDS. January 19, 2010

This week, the Andean and jungle regions of Peru are being hard hit by heavy rains, affecting thousands of the most humble and poorest families and their homes.

Yesterday, the province of Huanta, in the Ayacucho Region of Peru, was hit by torrential rain that lasted a little over 5 hours, from 4:30 PM until 9:40 PM. According to the telephone calls received by Radio Amauta from affected people and the findings of Radio Amauta Radio emergency personnel, the rains and subsequent flooding left at least 350 homes severely damaged. The walls, mostly made of adobe brick, were severely damaged by water. In some areas of the city of Huanta, drainage/sewage systems collapsed. We had a report about 10:00 AM this morning that 46 houses (for migrant families) located on the outskirts of Huanta were destroyed. According to reports of the authorities, more than 80 houses of the poorest families (widows, and single mothers), are uninhabitable in the rural communities of Huayrapampa, Aranhuay, Cercan, Pucara, Chocco Wichqa, Razuhuillca and Tanauasi. Vast areas of crops and orchards are affected. Roads are impassible due to landslides.

For our part at Radio Amauta, we are participating in the relief, helping families, making announcements by radio, letting the public know the painful news, and airing their complaints to the authorities. We also publicly acknowledge that, in some cases, the affected people must recognize their errors. They constructed their homes in river courses. There has been negligence in constructing drains inside and outside the city.
During yesterday’s rains, from early in the morning, Radio Amauta has been an essential means of communication with family members who left Huanta to go to work. It is urgent that they come back to rescue some of their belongings.

In Huayanay, a community of the state of Huancavelica, 5 people were reported missing in mudslides caused by the rains. At this moment, they are still searching for two bodies. There are hundreds of families at risk.

Actions in Solidarity with the Suffering:
At this moment there are hundreds of residents working to recover some belongings from the rubble. The municipal authorities and civil defense, are serving, cleaning affected houses and redirecting/ channeling rivers. Many are giving food to those most affected. The Governor of the state of Huanta announced that some materials to build new homes would be provided. But due to the magnitude of damage caused by the rains, families in rural areas are calling and reaching out to us. Mostly they are asking for repairs to the roofs of their homes so they can move back in. They desperately need roofing panels (“calaminas”). All morning they have called the radio station from their communities, asking for help with donations of roofing panels. They were calling because they woke up exposed to the elements, along with their minor children who are affected by respiratory diseases.

Emergency Proposal:
Radio Amauta, together with the Presbytery of Huanta, (of the Evangelical Presbyterian and Reformed Church of Peru), intends to provide support according to our means. We also ask for help. The priority is at least 1,000 calaminas to help at least 80 families (mostly widows and abandoned/single mothers) in rural areas. The cost of a single roofing panel is S/.14 (about US$5.00).

Pastor Samuel Montes
President
Presbytery of Huanta