Peru: Providing the Resources to Survive and Thrive

Like many Latin American countries, Peru has a sizeable population (over 54 percent) that lives in poverty. For the country's indigenous population, the levels are even higher--as much 70 percent in some areas. Given the lack of infrastructure in significant portions of the country, large populations are often isolated from the necessary resources they need to survive.

CHF International’s work in Peru has assisted indigenous and other vulnerable communities for the past several years. In Cajamarca, the second poorest area in Peru, we created a local Peruvian microfinance institution, PROGRESO, which focused on the housing needs of low-income residents.

More recently, in August 2007, CHF International worked with several communities in rural Ica Province to help them respond following a devastating earthquake that destroyed more than 90,000 homes. Many of these communities are extremely poor, and historically did not receive assistance in a timely fashion. CHF International worked with them to rebuild homes, latrines, and clinics, and provided grants to enable individuals to begin working again.