Hapag-Lloyd has announced that it is supporting the relief efforts in Peru after abnormal levels of rain have claimed the lives of up to 80 people and destroyed 100,000 homes.
The carrier line announced in a service disruption warning to the industry that it is now transporting supplies to the North of Peru after a special government emergency decree.
Hapag-Lloyd and Consorcio Naviero Peruano are transporting 300 tons of aid and donations through the Ports of Paita and Salaverry free of charge to the affected area in the north of Peru.
It said: “This past Saturday March 18, the already difficult situation, took a turn for the worse when the Virú Bridge, which connects the Panamerican Highway to the north of Peru near Salaverry and Trujillo, collapsed, cutting off all direct access of supplies and humanitarian support from the most affected areas.
“Hapag-Lloyd also organized and already delivered the first batch of donations which were collected from our staff last week and are currently working on the second collection.
“There was a lot of support from our staff and people are even going to help on the weekends where they can.”
PTI has started a poll:
Should container shipping companies do more to help during natural disasters?
— Port Technology Int (@PortTechnology) 24 March 2017
The rain has cut off all direct access of supplies and humanitarian support from the most affected areas and other bridges are on the brink of collapsing and further affecting the north of Peru.
Hapag-Lloyd added: “The ports are open and are one of the main ways to get supplies to the most affected areas in Peru since highways and railroads have been severely damaged.”
The north and central regions of Peru have been severely affected by an abnormal amount of precipitation caused by an unusual warm-water mass sitting off the coast of Peru.
Hapag-Lloyd said the situation is expected to go on through April.
Public infrastructure such as highways, railroads, roads, and bridges have been severely affected or destroyed by landslides and floods.
There has also been water and food supply shortages in Lima and the north provinces.
