IOM Press Briefing Notes
Friday 27th July 2012
Spokesperson: Jumbe Omari Jumbe

IOM Peru has distributed hygiene, kitchen and shelter kits to 1,100 families affected by the recent floods in the Amazon region of Loreto, located in northeast Peru.

"It's very important to reach the most vulnerable communities. These families have been living in tents, without electricity and water, exposed to diarrhea and upper respiratory infections. With this emergency assistance they will be able to rebuild their homes and return to normalcy," says César Estrella, IOM Programme Coordinator in Peru.

The IOM emergency assistance included wood, nails and advice from IOM staff on weatherproofing and rebuilding techniques. It also included kitchen and hygiene kits containing pots, pans, dishes, glasses and utensils, personal hygiene items, laundry soap, blankets, mosquito nets and rubber boots.

According to official estimates 200,000 people were severely affected by the heavy rains that have flooded the Loreto region since late February. Farmers lost 26,000 hectares of crops. Some 38 health centers and more than 1,600 schools were also flooded and damaged.

The IOM emergency assistance was provided with funding of US$ 400,000 from the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF).

As part of its emergency response, IOM installed some 150 showers, more than 70 kitchens and carried out basic repairs in all 37 targeted shelters. It also organized a workshop for public officials, shelter managers and civil society organizations on camp management and detecting and countering human trafficking in emergency situations.

For more information, please contact Carolina Santos at IOM Peru. Tel: + 51-1 221-7209 Ext. 145. Email: casantos@iom.int