Exclusive: Peru Floods Threaten Lima 2019 Preparations

(ATR) Devastating floods and landslides in Peru have some calling for the use of Lima 2019 Pan American Games’ funds to be redirected to recovery efforts.

Peruvian Olympic Committee chief Jose Quinones tells Around the Rings the country is getting hit with the worst rains of the last 50 years following one of Peru’s longest droughts. He says the disaster has essentially shut down the country.

"The Congress has closed, the impeachment process against the VP has been suspended," Quinones tells ATR in an exclusive interview. "Communications, energy and water supply are cut or reduced in many cities."

Schools around the country have also been shut down until March 20 as a result of the flooding that has already taken the lives of 48 people and has displaced more than 500,000 from their homes, many of which have collapsed from the destruction.

Quinones says damage could get worse with rain expected to continue falling throughout March. Quinones sent ATR shocking videos showing the power and impact the floods are having on daily life in Peru.

The recovery effort from a natural disaster like this is likely to take several months and several million dollars. Peru President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said on Tuesday he does not yet know how much the reconstruction effort will cost.

However, Quinones says that the government does not need to dip into its budget set aside for the 2019 Pan Am Games to help with recovery efforts.

"There are people asking to use those resources to help in the reconstruction," Quinones tells ATR. "The government has answered that they have enough resources for both. The government said that they have a special emergency fund of around $3 billion."

Written by Kevin Nutley

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