U.S. Embassy in Peru

U.S. SUPPORTS PERU WITH $500,000 IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS

Ambassador Lisa Kenna reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to the people and government of Peru in situations of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response during the opening ceremony of the exercise COOPERATION IX, sponsored by the Peruvian Air Force. The event was led by the Minister of Defense, Jorge Chávez Cresta, and included the participation of the Commanding General of the US West Virginia National Guard (WVNG), U.S. Brigadier General David Cochran.

Ambassador Kenna highlighted the continued collaboration of the West Virginia National Guard, which transported several members of the United States Armed Forces to Peru in one of its C-17 aircraft, who will share their best practices in aeromedical evacuation, rescue and sanitation of water, to alleviate human suffering. In addition, the C-17 transported an ambulance free of charge for the Peruvian Fire Department, which meant a saving of US$10,000, and the West Virginia National Guard donated 6,000 bottles of water for families affected by the passage of Cyclone Yaku.

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy, ​​with the support of U.S. Southern Command, will donate approximately US$100,000 for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Government of Peru.  In addition, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) increased the contribution to Save the Children by US$500,000 to meet the immediate water and sanitation needs of 4,500 households living in government-furnished shelters, including supply of water tanks and chlorination services for these tanks, cleaning supplies for sanitary facilities, and possible construction of latrines.

In the coming weeks, USAID will also increase its donation to the World Food Program by US$300,000 to provide critical transportation and logistical support to the Government of Peru and INDECI for the delivery of 1,350 metric tons of humanitarian aid items to affected areas due to flooding until June 31. In addition, USAID allocated US$277,916 for the costs of deploying an Americas Support Team (AST) to assist the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team in Piura and Lambayeque during the last three weeks of April 2023.

The United States remains committed to the prevention, response, and disaster support to Peru through humanitarian assistance activities that contribute to further strengthening the strong ties of friendship and bilateral cooperation.