Since 1st of December of 2023, the impact of heavy rains has caused flooding, landslides, and hailstorms throughout the country, particularly in the south, the Amazon rainforest, and the Northern coast. This has been accompanied by high temperatures above of the normal range along the Northern coast and the center of the country, that are estimated to last until April 2024, due to the El Niño phenomenon. In this context, on February 26th, a National State of Emergency Declaration was issued for 60 days, declaring a Level 4 Emergency due to the impact of heavy rains and flooding in 20 regions (Supreme Decree Nº 020-2024-PCM).

As of March 1st, the National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) reported 100,551 people affected by the emergencies and 32 dead (including 9 children). More than 42,000 homes, 68 schools and 129 health centers have been affected, are inhabitable or destroyed.

The accumulation of water from the rains and the high temperatures creates a breeding ground for diseases like dengue fever. In fact, the rise of dengue among the population led the Ministry of Health to declare a Health Emergency on 28 February in 20 regions (Supreme Decree Nº004-2024-SA). As of February 24th, the number of cases reached 34,042, more than two times the number of cases in 2023 (+131.7%). The regions with the most cases are La Libertad (6,148), Piura (5,275), Ica (4,645), Ancash (3,766) and Lima (2,899). Children and adolescents infected with dengue are more than 10,000, representing 29.6% of the infected population and 13.6% of the deaths by dengue (6 out of 44).

In the areas declared a national emergency, there is great concern about limitations in access to public services due to the impact of the rainfall and subsequent floods and landslides on the infrastructure. This hinders safe access to health centers and schools. Regarding health centers, outbreaks of diseases like dengue, acute diarrheal diseases (ADD), acute respiratory infection (ARI), malaria and leptospirosis exceed the capacity of health professionals and public equipment, particularly affecting vulnerable children and adolescents, including migrant populations.

UNICEF has in place teams monitoring emergencies and assessing the needs of children and adolescents in Piura, Lambayeque and Huancavelica, working closely with local authorities. In case the situation worsens, with rain forecast for the next few days and an increase in dengue fever, UNICEF has supplies and personnel to activate its multisectoral response.