In Vichayal, vulnerable and high-risk zones were identified for incorporation into the Disaster Risk Prevention and Reduction Plan, with an emphasis on droughts and floods.

November 28, 2019. Vichayal (Peru). Through the European Union Programme EUROCLIMA+ and under the framework of the Risk Management component implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the French Development Agency (AFD), the “Binational Project for the Reduction of the Vulnerability of the Population and their Livelihoods to the Threats of Droughts and Floods in Border Territories Ecuador and Peru” or “Risk Management without Borders” is promoted.

With the participation of authorities and community leaders from the district of Vichayal, vulnerable and high-risk zones were identified with the aim of incorporating drought and floods into the Plan for Disaster Risk Prevention and Reduction (PPRRD). This activity is being promoted under the framework of the Euroclima plus programme through the binational project “Risk management without borders”.

In the development of the socialisation workshop of the diagnosis held in the municipal auditorium of the district, expert consultant Engineer Segundo Obaco explained that when the flow of the Chira River increases due to the rains always in the lower part of the basin, impacts will occur on lands with little slope and near sea level. In the case of flooding by the Chira River, this can occur even when it does not rain in the district, because when there are intense rains in the mountains that comprise the upper parts of the Ecuador and Peru watersheds, the river increases its flow and in the face of very strong floods, discharges are made in the Poechos Dam. This testimony was also sustained by the mayor of the town of Miramar, Mr. Santos Ramirez.

On the other hand, the probability of a tsunami occurrence in the Vichayal district was also analysed, since it is considered a coastal zone; it is located close to the place where the waters of the Catamayo - Chira transboundary watershed flow towards the Pacific Ocean, but based on the history of recent years, this type of event has not been recorded, so the community does not consider it a concurrent threat. “Strong waves are recorded, but they do not cause damage to the livelihoods of these areas.”

During the workshop it was said that last November 20, a field visit was made with the authorities and community leaders of the district, in order to identify the areas of greatest vulnerability to allow decision-making aimed at risk prevention and reduction. This activity was also attended by the technical team of the regional government, the Regional Management of Natural Resources and Environmental Management through the binational project “Risk Management without Borders”.

As part of the commitments made, the next diagnostic formulation meeting will be held in the town of Miramar, in the same district with the participation of other communities.

About the projects of the Disaster Risk Management and Reduction component: droughts and floods

Through the Risk Management component of the EUROCLIMA+ programme, a total of seven projects will be implemented. For more information about each project, visit this link: https://www.euroclima.org/en/risk-management

About EUROCLIMA+

EUROCLIMA+ is a programme funded by the European Union to promote environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient development in 18 Latin American countries, particularly for the benefit of the most vulnerable populations. The Programme is implemented under the synergistic work of seven agencies: Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), French Development Agency (AFD), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Expertise France (EF), International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), the German society for international cooperation (GIZ), and UN Environment.

Contacts

For more information about EUROCLIMA+, contact Alexandra Cortés:
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For information about the Risk Management component of EUROCLIMA+, write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.