Peru: Cold Wave - Jul 2010

On July 23rd, 2010, the government of Peru issued a declaration of emergency in 16 regions of the country due the low temperatures that severely affected the health of the population, especially children and elderly persons. The 71 per cent of the total affected by pneumonia were under the age of five. The emergency declaration covered the districts located 3,000 meters above sea level and some districts of the suburbs of Lima, including three traditionally warm regions: Loreto, Madre de Dios and Ucayali. A total of 409 people have died in Peru by pneumonia and cold related diseases during this year. Approximately half of the deaths occurred from May, at the beginning the dry season. (OCHA, 26 July 2010)