27/09/2013 - The EU has allocated €400 000 to assist those affected by the extreme low temperatures in the southern highlands of Peru. The funding will benefit about 20 000 people affected by the freezing temperatures and severe snowfalls that have hit the departments of Puno, Junin and Loreto. The funding channeled through the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department ECHO will be primarily used for medical care and mobile clinics to help reduce the impact of acute respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia. Due to the low temperatures since August this year, over 23 000 cases of pneumonia with children under five years in Peru have been recorded.
The funds will also support the distribution of blankets and hygiene items as well as food assistance. In addition, aid will be dedicated for the recovery of the livestock by providing veterinary supplies and vaccines.
The assistance will be implemented by ECHO's partner organisations on the ground: Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the German Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The projects will last three to six months.
Since 1994, ECHO has allocated €65.5 million to disaster preparedness in South America and €112.5 million to respond to disasters and emergencies in the region.