The Archbishopric of Piura launched a great solidarity campaign for the victims of rains and floods that have hit northern Peru for a few days due to Cyclone Yaku on the coast of the South American country.
The rains have left at least seven deaths and a large number of victims in the departments of Tumbes, Piura, and Lambayeque. The natural disaster caused considerable material damage and interruptions in communication routes, such as the Panamericana Norte, at kilometers 376.
The government has declared a state of emergency in 400 districts of the country due to rains and floods.
Father Pedro Talledo Nizama, Secretary General of Cáritas de Piura and Tumbes, commented that “from the first moment the emergency began, our Metropolitan Archbishop, Monsignor José Antonio Eguren, has urged us to work hard to bring quick and effective help to our brothers who are going through hard times because of the emergency.”
“This situation entails a difficult moment for many families. The water has entered their homes, there are material losses and some will have to face precarious situations and even evacuation in the coming days, ”he recounted.
The campaign seeks to gather bottled water, rice, milk, sugar, noodles, beans, oil, canned goods, personal hygiene items such as soap, toilet paper, toothpaste, diapers and sanitary towels.
Likewise, “tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels, picks, sandbags, tanks to store water, raincoats, rubber boots and clothing in good condition are very necessary,” the priest stressed.
“We are in the middle of Lent, and this is a unique opportunity to be able to live it in the best way, extending our solidarity, relief, consolation and the Charity of Christ to those who need it most”, highlighted Fr. Talledo.