{"id":259466,"date":"2010-02-01T10:53:55","date_gmt":"2010-02-01T15:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/globalvoicesonline.org\/?p=120648"},"modified":"2010-02-01T10:53:55","modified_gmt":"2010-02-01T15:53:55","slug":"peru-aid-and-rescue-for-flood-victims-in-cusco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/259466","title":{"rendered":"Peru: Aid and Rescue for Flood Victims in Cusco"},"content":{"rendered":"

The situation in Cusco, Peru remains difficult<\/a> because the rains have not ceased. However, that is not the only problem the region faces. Amid allegations and rumors [es]<\/a> that tourists [es] were charged money in order to be rescued<\/a>, which is something that the authorities have denied [es]<\/a>, the Chilean government sent a Hercules aircraft [es]<\/a> on January 21 to pick up Chilean citizens. There are photos of those rescued here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

A flooded street in Huacarpay photo by Zenobio Valencia and used with permission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Other reports have surfaced in regards to rising food prices [es]<\/a> in the area of Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. The Attorney General ordered an investigation [es]<\/a> to verify and act if it finds price speculation in the restaurants and stores.<\/p>\n

As expected, the news soon appeared about the complaints about a lack of transparency [es]<\/a> in the distribution of aid to victims. Many are hoping that the government addresses this issue.<\/p>\n

In addition, there are concerns about the tourists who were hiking the Inca Trail<\/a> and in the Sacred Valley, when the landslides started. It is estimated that at the time, there were about 1,500 tourists in the area [es]<\/a>, but to date it is not known whether all are safe. The total number of tourists in and around Machu Picchu was estimated to be 2,000.<\/p>\n

Twitterers have been posting information on what has been happening in and around Cusco. Some of the tweets show the two sides of humanity:<\/p>\n

@harrygonzales<\/a>: <\/p>\n

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Sigue llegando el agua para ayudar a nuestros hermanos en la plaza de Armas #cusco http:\/\/tweetphoto.com\/9723290<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Water continues to arrive to the Armas Plaza to help our brothers and sisters #cusco http:\/\/tweetphoto.com\/9723290<\/a> <\/div>\n

@harrygonzales<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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Los damnificados de Pisonay est\u00e1n en el centro recreacional de Calca http:\/\/tweetphoto.com\/9742996 #Cusco<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Those affected in Pisonay are now in the recreational center in Calca http:\/\/tweetphoto.com\/9742996<\/a> #Cusco\n<\/div>\n

Lynn Mora @lynnmora<\/a>: <\/p>\n

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En Cusco los scouts fueron enviados a las zonas de desastre para apoyar a damnificados.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In Cusco, the (boy) scouts were sent to the disaster area to help those affected.<\/div>\n

@elcaminerito <\/a><\/p>\n

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Nos avisan que existen ladrones que est\u00e1n saqueando en Huacarpay y Pisac,por favor los voluntarios vayan identificados, para evitar problemas <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They tell us that there are thieves that are looting in Huacarpay and Pisac, volunteers please identify them, please, to avoid problems.<\/div>\n

Marco Moscoso has been regularly posting photos to his Twitpic account<\/a>, and he has been one of the driving forces behind the interactive map that shows the emergency areas [es]<\/a>:<\/p>\n