VENEZUELAN REFUGEES IN PERU RECEIVE WEEKLY FOOD AID BY MATTHIAS KULLEN Some weeks ago, I met a group of Venezuelans on the street in Arequipa, Peru, without any means of survival. Because of their dire situation, I brought them food and paid for a few days’ accommodation in a hostel. Many Venezuelans currently share this situation. The UN estimates at least 12,000 Venezuelan refugees are living in Arequipa alone. Their plight is already hard. In ‘normal times’ many sell plastic bags or sweets on the street, or clean windshields. The COVID-19 curfew
We also insert a copy of the book of John, Christian literature and sometimes a handwritten note of encouragement. Where possible, we look for conversations with the Venezuelans. Many are open to the gospel. Our team is also considering how to continue our contact with them after the crisis. Visit the project’s blog:
https://bit.ly/2YZmHKO
Matthias Kullen serves in student ministry with IFES in different universities in Arequipa and as a Bible teacher at the Bible Institute of the Iglesia Evangélica Peruana (a Peruvian denomination) since 2012. Sent by DMG, he is from Hülben, Germany.
COVID-19 RELIEF
MAY 2020 • VOL 2 ISSUE 2
which began on March 16 means there are no customers. The curfew really hits the poor, especially those without formal employment. Peruvians have been receiving financial support from the state but this ‘rescue umbrella’ does not cover the now one million Venezuelan refugees, nor every Peruvian family in need. SIM’s Peru team launched a relief project (#91155). From donations, we are providing emergency food relief and, where necessary, the cost of accommodation. However, due to the budget and the growing number of people, we have decided to focus on food. It is mainly for Venezuelans, but also for some Peruvians in extreme need. In the first week of the project, we distributed 150 packages; in the second week 250 and in the third 500. This week we have 800 families on our list and rising. A food bag costs about 30 soles (8 Euros, 9 USD) and contains two kg potatoes, two kg rice, one kg spaghetti, one kg lentils, one kg oatmeal, 500 gr beans, 500 gr sugar, three cans of milk, two cans of tuna and a bar of soap.
13
