Attachments
Situation in Numbers
In Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque y La Libertad regions:
6,066 People affected
14,794 Students affected (Primary & Secondary)
102 Schools affected
40 Health establishments affected
Situation Overview
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Starting in January 2023, moderate and intense rains occurred in different areas of the country, causing a series of emergencies due to floods and landslides. In this context, on March 1 the Multisectoral Commission for the Study of the El Niño Phenomenon (ENFEN) changed the status of the alert system from “Inactive” to “Surveillance of El Niño Costero”. Additionally, in line with the current seasonal weather forecast of intense rains from March to May, in March there have been exceptional rains of moderate to heavy intensity in the Northern and Central coast regions, in addition to the Northern and Central Sierra. Consequently, the government has issued two declarations of State of Emergency (Supreme Decree No. 029-2023-PCM on March 3 and Supreme Decree No. 030-2023-PCM on March 22).
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On March 7, the National Meteorology and Hydrology Service of Peru (SENAMHI) reported an unusual “unorganized tropical cyclone called “Yaku” off the Northern and Central coast of Peru, contributing to the intensification of rains in the following days, generating an increase in rainwater flows and activation of seasonal streams.
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During the first half of March, the effect of the intense rains became particularly worrisome in the Northern coast, causing several river overflows, flooding and landslides, as reported by the Tumbes Regional Directorate of Education (DRET) according to a first preliminary report dated 10 March, 314 people, 128 homes and 25 health establishments (EESS) had been affected. Likewise, reported some 14,794 students affected by the disruption of school continuity, due to 102 schools affected by the rains in the region.
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The migrant and refugee population has also been affected by the intermittent closure of the service and orientation point (PAO) of Aguas Verdes (Tumbes) due to the floods. Additionally, a serious risk of flooding is affecting the homes of the Venezuelan population settled in the Northern region close to Tumbes.
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According to preliminary data from Regional Directorate of Education in Tumbes (DRET), in Piura, as of March 12, the affectation included 1,675 people (including 660 homeless and 2 deceased children), as well as 359 homes, 2 EESS and 4 IIEE (Educational Institutions). In Lambayeque, as of March 10, 177 people, 62 homes and 13 EESS were declared affected. In La Libertad, as of March 11, the affectation included 3,900 people (2,535 homeless and 1 deceased) as well as 1,158 homes (367 collapsed). All these affectation data are likely to raise quickly in the coming days, as more detailed multi-sectoral needs assessments are ongoing, with UNICEF and other partners’ support.
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One of the main concerns is related to the immediate clean water, hygiene, food, health and protection needs of the most vulnerable affected population, including migrant families. A high risk of outbreaks of Acute Diarrheal Diseases(ADDs), Acute respiratory infection (ARIs), dengue, malaria and leptospirosis has been identified by the Ministry of Health (MoH) due to the affectation of the already precarious sanitation facilities and to the water and mud stagnation, especially affecting the most vulnerable, including children and pregnant or lactating women. A high risk of outbreaks of ADDs, ARIs, dengue, malaria and leptospirosis has been identified by the MoH due to the affectation of the already precarious sanitation facilities and to the water and mud stagnation, especially affecting the most vulnerable, including children and pregnant or lactating women.
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Particular concern also relates to the start of the school year scheduled for March 13, which has been rescheduled until March 20 in Tumbes, Metropolitan Lima, Lima Region and Callao due to the impact of the rains on the infrastructure of IIEE (and may suffer further delays if the situation persists). In the 4 affected regions on the Northern coast, local authorities expressed there is evidence of the need of extracting water and cleaning an important number of muds in homes, schools, health centres and public spaces, to ensure protection and access to services and protection for children, and adolescents and their families. In turn, the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS) has reported the suspension of its services in 108 ‘Children's Comprehensive Care Centres’ of the Cuna Mas Day care program, affecting 3,346 girls and boys using the service. Finally, the risk of food security due to the loss of crops has been registered, while food assistance programs have not yet been activated.