Our partners on the ground have been working tirelessly to respond to the flooding in Peru and Colombia. Our partner Convoy of Hope recently provided more than 45 families in Peru with solar lights as part of response efforts following devastating flooding in the region.
Convoy of Hope's team met with local leaders to review reports and determine the areas of greatest need. Food, clean water and hygiene products were the most significant need as local markets began to empty. Along with these items, they distributed LuminAID Solar Lanterns to displaced families in the city of Marino Segovia, where many people are living in tents with no water or electricity
Here's what they have to say: "For decades, townspeople did not worry about torrential rains or floods because there were dams and canals in place to protect them. However, the construction of a new highway that was intended to make life easier ended up doing more harm than good. On this day, the sun sat behind the Andes Mountains as darkness enveloped what was left of the town. ... Unable to see people just feet in front of them — the need for light was evident. The [LuminAID] lights not only illuminated their tents, but also their smiles and provided a sense of relief many had been yearning for."
They spoke with flooding survivor Julio* (pictured above with his two daughters) who said: “These light are going to make life so much better — it is a blessing to my family that I never expected.”
In addition to lights, Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Services team provided food, clean water and hygiene kits for thousands of residents throughout Peru. The Peruvian government estimates there are upwards of 100,000 damaged or destroyed homes leaving hundreds of thousands of people in limbo. Water treatment plants have also been compromised in many parts of the country.
*Indicates name change for safety
About Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is an international non profit organization that has helped nearly 80 million people throughout the world by sharing food, water, emergency supplies, agricultural know-how, and opportunities that empower people to live independent lives, free from poverty, disease and hunger. Learn more at convoyofhope.org
