Columbans report on devastating floods in Peru

In the wake of unprecedented flooding in Peru, caused by exceptionally warm water in the Pacific Ocean fueling torrential rain along South America's west coast, Columban missionaries working in the country report:

"The floods in Peru are flash floods. With the lashing downpours we have seen in recent weeks, dry river beds have become torrential rivers of water mixed with soil and rocks and whatever else they bring with it. Three of the Dioceses in which we work have been affected: Carabayllo, Chosica and Chimbote. Fr Kevin McDonagh in Samanco, Chimbote, is cut off from the outside world and the population is without clean water. The situation is getting precarious for the people in and around the fishing and agricultural town, and indeed the whole Chimbote area in the north of the country.

Everywhere the flooding with muddy water has caused havoc, with 100,000 houses destroyed or unusable, 75 dead so far in accidents related to the disaster. English Columban Fr Ed O'Connell reports that on Sunday his parish in Lima took up collections, 'taking in three times the usual offering, and clothes, clean water and food stocks were gathered to be taken later in the week to affected areas'. He added that teams of youth from the 12 communities in the parish are preparing themselves to visit disrupted communities, coordinating with the parishes there, to help clean up or do preventative work in building up dams, as the emergency is not over yet.

It is still raining in the mountains and further flooding is expected well in to April. The challenges ahead are enormous in terms of getting through the disaster and reconstruction. There is little bottled water available, but fortunately there is water flowing again in Lima though with low pressure. It is worrying to think of so many people without clean water especially in the provincial areas.

We had very bad flooding in 1982, but this is more serious. The question is how much more can the people take. Their response and solidarity so far has been nothing short of heroic. Even in the midst of all the suffering, we are seeing Peru and Peruvians at their very best. It is inspiring and heartbreaking all at once.

Please, we are asking for prayers and positive thoughts in solidarity with the people of Peru in these times of suffering, especially those most directly affected.

Donations can be made through the ColumbansUK website: www.columbans.co.uk/ Please mark 'Peru Flooding'