Since the end of January 2023, a sudden warming of Pacific Ocean waters off Peru has resulted in torrential rains, storms and devastating floods, leaving half of this country under a state of emergency. Heavy rainfall has burst riverbanks and led to mudslides, collapsed bridges, closed roads and damage to hundreds of medical facilities, many of which have collapsed entirely.
Peru is home to nine Mennonite Brethren churches with a total of 500-plus members. The worst hit areas are in northern Peru, in cities such as Piura where Multiply’s global workers Stacy Kuhns and Pablo and Maricela Chavez live. They report that the situation is desperate for many.
“There is major flooding, and sewage systems have collapsed everywhere in the city,” Pablo writes. “People’s homes have collapsed during the rainfall, and the forecast is for at least another two weeks of intense rain. There is currently no internet available, making relief efforts even harder.”
Multiply is partnering with Conferencia Peruana Hermanos Menonitas, the Peruvian MB Conference, in emergency fundraising efforts. Funds donated will go toward addressing the most pressing needs for clean drinking water (filters and water pumps), food baskets initially for 300 families and efforts such as fumigations and mosquito repellents to control disease.
Donations can be made online at https://multiply.net/project/urgent-relief-peru-flood
Multiply is the global mission agency for North American Mennonite Brethren. The agency’s vision is church planting locally, nationally and globally.
