For the past 6 weeks Peru has been in the grip of extremly cold weather with temperatures ranging between -22º and -15º C. The record breaking cold spell has already affected over 200,000 people, caused the death of 55 children under five and is responsible for over 6,000 cases of pneumonia.

The Government of Peru has declared a National Emergency in 14 of the 24 Peruvian provinces as severe weather continues to sweep the country and has began moving large supplies of warm clothing, blankets and materials to the affected areas.

The situation In January this year, an unexpected cold spell hit the high Andean community of Peru and destroyed around 60% of the crops. The severe weather was then followed by the onset of Winter in June and now this second spell of extreme cold has wiped out the remainder of the crops and is causing considerable hardship for children and communities. The worst hit areas are in the provinces of Puno, Apurimac, Ancash, Cajamarca and Cusco.

With ten weeks of Winter left, forecasters predict temperatures will drop further.

Plan response Plan in Peru has already identified areas for intervention, assessed communities needs and is preparing for the distribution of relief supplies, providing humanitarian help to 10,294 children and women in 95 Andean communities across Paucartambo, Lares and Chumbilcas in the Cusco provice, dimishing so the risk of death due to pneumonia as a consequence of the extreme weather.

Plan will not only be providing clothes and blankets, but, in collaboration with local authorities, will distribute information to families on how to prevent infectious respiratory diseases and pneumonia.

Plan communities Plan has been working in 7 provinces hit by severe weather conditions, including Chumbivilcas, Paucartambo and Lares (Calca).

We are in daily contact with staff in the Peru and as soon as we receive updated information regarding sponsored children affected, we will endeavour to share it with our sponsors and publish it online.

You can help With over 2 months to the end of Winter and temperatures predicted to fall further, Plan needs you help to reach more children and families in the remote rural Andean communities.

You can make an online donation to Plan's emergency work in Peru with your credit/debit card or call us on 020 7482 9777.