When the Ucayali River surged beyond its banks in March 2025, it brought devastation to remote Amazonian communities. As floodwaters claimed homes and farmlands, Hombro a Hombro – the CBi Member Network in Peru – mobilized alongside and in collaboration with local authorities. Their mission: to deliver life-saving aid to isolated Indigenous villages facing the region's worst flooding in decades.
This happened due to Pucallpa and the wider Ucayali region in eastern Peru experiencing the heaviest rainfall in 15 years, triggering unprecedented flooding. The river overflowed, reaching historic heights and causing significant damage such as inundating homes, displacing families, and disrupting daily life, especially for the Indigenous communities.
A particularly meaningful delivery was made to Villa Esther village, located 1.5 hours by river from the city of Pucallpa – a severely affected community that had rarely received visits from authorities and was receiving aid for the first time.
Overall, 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid were delivered through the combined efforts of the Ucayali Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Provincial Municipality of Coronel Portillo, the Peruvian Navy, and Hombro a Hombro's network of companies.
Six hundred family food baskets with water, milk, sugar, juices, hygiene products, and other essentials were distributed to the most affected rural areas along the Ucayali River where agricultural crops and homes were lost.
The logistics operation involved:
- 2 RANSA trucks transporting donated goods
- LATAM's solidarity flight providing air transport for personnel
- Excellent coordination with the Municipality of Coronel Portillo
- Valuable logistical support from the IV Naval Zone of the Peruvian Navy
Distribution began on Monday, April 21, and concluded on Wednesday, April 23, targeting locations previously identified by the Portillo Municipality according to impact level.
Several companies had already provided support before Hombro a Hombro's arrival, including Ocho Sur and Backus delivering aid to flooded areas, and Aceros Arequipa providing corrugated metal sheets through DDI Ucayali and GORE.
A well-attended press conference was held on April 21 at the Ucayali Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, featuring the Chamber President, the Mayor of Coronel Portillo, and a representative from the Peruvian Navy, announcing operations supported by multiple private sector partners including Casa Andina, LATAM Airlines, Ransa, Coca-Cola, Intercorp, BCP, and many others.
This is an example of the power of collective action and coordination between public and private sectors, bringing together the speed, reach, and innovation of business with the expertise and knowhow of local government.