International disaster relief charity, ShelterBox, are responding to heavy rains and landslides that have caused extensive damage in the mountainous region of Cusco in south-eastern Peru, home to the tourist destination of Machu Picchu. Reports say that thousands of people have been made homeless and almost 10,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed.

Local Rotarians met the ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) as they arrived in Peru's capital, Lima, on 18 March. They are providing the team with transport and logistical support during the deployment.

American Response Team members John Cordell and Gary Boe are meeting with the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI), the South American country’s national disaster relief agency, to get the latest information on the ground.

'Over the next few days we are carrying out an assessment in and around Cuzco to establish those families who are in need of emergency shelter,' said John. 'Many roads are blocked from the landslides so we are discussing transport options with local bodies to help us travel around.'

This is the second time ShelterBox has deployed to Peru in response to floods in the Cuzco region. Prepositioned ShelterBoxes in Panama will be sent to Peru if a need is found.

Public donations are vital to ShelterBox’s continuing work. To make a donation please ring +44 (0)300 0300 500 or go to www.shelterbox.org to donate online and get the latest updates on our response to disasters around the world.