Peru
In Peru, HI has been supporting Venezuelan refugees for several years to facilitate their access to healthcare and is working to prevent the consequences of climate change.
A humanitarian staff talks with a beneficiary | Save the children
Actions in process
For several years now, Peru has been a host country for Venezuelan migrants. The number of new arrivals rose sharply in 2018 and 2019. By 2023, there was an estimated 1.5 million Venezuelan migrants living in Peru. To support them, HI is running a project to improve their access to health services.
Our teams inform them of their rights and existing care pathways, and accompany them so that they can benefit from the necessary care services. In particular, we provide mental health and psychosocial support through individual and group discussion sessions. We also train health specialists to enhance their skills.
To address the high environmental risk in Peru, Hi is deploying a project to support indigenous communities in the Loreto region in disaster prevention and risk reduction. By adopting an intersectional approach, we help to strengthen the participation of young people, women and people with disabilities in local prevention policies, so that their specific needs are taken into account and covered by the measures adopted. Our teams also support local and green initiatives, which help to strengthen the resilience of communities in the face of climatic hazards and contribute to the preservation of their resources.
Areas of intervention
concretely
Situation of the country
Although Peru is experiencing significant economic growth, there are marked socio-economic inequalities and many people still live in poverty.
Peru is a very heterogeneous country, with a varied geographical make-up and significant socio-economic inequalities. It is a "middle-income" country, with economic growth of around 6.6% over the past decade.
However, the neoliberal economic policies in application in Peru have considerably reduced the presence of the State and the social sector, encouraging private investment by reducing regulations and rights. This has led millions of people to try to survive through various forms of insecure work and self-employment. The country’s high levels of inequality cause serious problems of social exclusion, discrimination and poverty. People with disabilities, and in particular women with disabilities, suffer even more, as their level of access to education and employment remains much lower than the national average.
Due to its geographical location, Peru is the Latin American country most affected by natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, landslides, etc.). Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country is prone to strong seismic activity causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It sees floods during the rainy season and also suffers from periods of drought. According to the Peruvian government, 60% of the population is exposed to the risk of natural disasters. No measures have been taken to include people with disabilities in prevention and risk reduction initiatives.
In recent years, Peru has been hosting a growing number of Venezuelan refugees, and the humanitarian needs of this population have also grown.
Number of HI staff: 11
Programmed opened in: 2018
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