Rains in Peru Children affected by the intense rains and huaicos in Peru capture in drawings the difficult moments they experienced

The children captured on paper the difficulties they faced during the first months of this year in Piura. (Composition: Infobae/Save the Children)

At the beginning of 2023, Cyclone Yaku left a trail of pain in its wake for citizens living in northern Peru. In regions such as Piura, Tumbes and Lambayeque, intense rains were recorded that worried citizens and authorities, who witnessed the onslaught of nature. The huaicos caused death and desolation not only in these regions, but also in Lima.

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This meteorological phenomenon affected people of different ages. However, the most vulnerable were the elderly and children; The latter have portrayed in drawings the difficult reality that they had to live.

Save the Children, an international organization that works in more than 120 countries to promote and protect children’s rights, had the opportunity to talk with the children of the Simbilá Population Center, Catacaos district, in Piura, one of the most affected regions. by Cyclone Yaku.

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The children wrote down on paper the difficulties they faced during the first months of this year. They not only drew, but also expressed their opinions about the landslides and floods that affected their families.

José, 11 years old, shared his experience with the international organization: “During the flood I couldn’t go to school. My house flooded, because we had not prepared, but now we will build a wall to keep the water out.” Given the lack of presence of the authorities, the minor proposed a solution that could partially counteract the attacks of nature.

It is relevant to mention that José not only shared his opinion about what happened in Piura at the beginning of the year, but also captured it in his drawing. In his image titled “Flooding due to rain,” you can see a single-story house in the middle of heavy rain. Next to this house, there are no other houses, which could show that they did not receive help after the huaico fell. Despite everything, the tree was painted with representative colors, suggesting that Joseph did not lose hope for a better future. It is worth mentioning that the minor used pencils, crayons and colors to create his art.

The minor used pencils, crayons and colors to create his art. (Save the Children)

Jefferson, another 11-year-old boy, recounted the difficult moments he experienced during the rains, landslides and floods: “During the rains, I and my family were in an unsafe place and we were afraid. I couldn’t go to class. The neighbors helped to make ditches so that the water does not reach the other houses.”

The boy also represented the disaster through a drawing, although he used more sober colors. His illustration shows a house destroyed by the huaico, with the presence of lightning hitting two children. It is necessary to mention that in Piura more than a thousand lightning strikes were recorded during the first three months.

Drawing of Jefferson, a minor who suffered the attacks of nature. (Save the Children)

Danna, 8 years old: “I drew my community, my house and my neighbors in the torrential rain. My family was affected by the rain, the quinchas fell. There were holes in the roof and the thunder scared me and my little brother very much. “My grandmother pumped the water with a motor.”

(Save the Children)

Gonzalo, 11 years old: “The drawing was when it started to rain and there was lightning and thunder. I felt a little afraid and then we tried to turn off the light, but the power was on.”

(Save the Children)