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Peru: More helicopters expected to join rescue and evacuation labors in Cusco

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

Today three helicopters started airlifting tourists left stranded in Machu Picchu, once the sky cleared enough to allow air operations.

Government officials, led by the Transportation Minister, Martin Perez, told the press that tourists will be airlifted to Ollantaytambo, where Peru Rail will take them by bus back to Cusco.

They also announced that more helicopters from Peru's Armed forces and from the US Embassy in Peru are expected to join the rescue labors today, which would add the number of operating helicopters up to 10.

Peru Rail and Orient Express have announced that they will take food to help the tourists waiting to be evacuated.

Pablo Pozo, from the Cusco's Regional Communication office, told the press that they estimate that, if they can actually count on 10 helicopters, they could complete the evacuation process today.

“The situation has been really difficult,” he pointed out, recalling that the tourists have been stranded for three days “and food are water were starting to scarce, the roads are still blocked and the rains prevented the helicopters from arriving.”

“Cusco region has 13 provinces, from which 11 are in state of emergency; the roads to Lima and Arequipa are blocked, and it's been raining 10-12 hours a day since 14 days ago,” he said.

The Peruvian government is currently trying to organize help for thousands of affected people.

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# Rea says :
27 January, 2010 [ 02:12 ]

Where are the 10 Helicopters???  Why are there still a lot of tourists stranded??  Why are they profitering through this natural disaster??? 

# Noah says :
27 January, 2010 [ 06:39 ]

Yesterday Tuesday, there were 2 milatary antanof troop carrier helicopters flying evac, in the afternoon.  Landing in Ollantaytambo football stadium,  the road out of cusco is flooded over at the entrance curve to Ollantaytambo.  The rescued toruists had to wade across chest high water flooding the road to get to the Vans n taxis for Cusco.  Many stranded tourists were Evacuated not sure the exact number still left in Agas Calinte.
 In Urubamba about 450 people are homeless due to the flooding, Adobe houses have literaly melted to mud and there is only broken roof tops sitting in the high water.  The homless are in the Urubamba football stadium and in need of blankets, tents, as well as food.  There are soup kitchens helping to feed them  any help is most welcome.
Today Wedesday early morning its raining again with 0 visablity in the valley.

# Jon says :
27 January, 2010 [ 07:06 ]

Who cares about the tourist being stranded in a nice hotel??

They will be alright, just and extended vacation, having another drink.

What about the citizens who live there?

# Noah says :
27 January, 2010 [ 09:14 ]

Today wedensday 27, the helicoptors will be using Urubmaba stadium to land in due to problems in Ollantayambo.  Making the trip to Cusco much easyer and efficent.
As soon as the weather opens up  9am  still all clouded in n raining. 
River has gone down some the road is now out of the water in Urubmaba.

# hola1980 says :
27 January, 2010 [ 09:19 ]

I was thinking the same thing Jon, theres all this fuss about Tourists but what about the people, & children who live in this area ? They have absolutley No where to go. The tourists will go home and get out of this mess where as the Citizens have no where not even a roof over their heads. 

# kari says :
27 January, 2010 [ 11:02 ]

if you want to help the peruvian citizens affected by this horrific disaster contact www.thechildrenofthesun.org. winter clothing for children esstencials r needed.

# Rea says :
27 January, 2010 [ 11:05 ]

You would care if it was your love ones...

# mericorps says :
27 January, 2010 [ 15:19 ]

While I am disspointed that Rea thinks tourists are more important than Peruvians, it is not quite accurate that nothing is being done for Peruvians.  They make up over 25% of those evacuated and as they make up about that same figure of people in Machu Picchu and Ollente Tambo, it is proportionate.  However, there is little that can be done for the rural areas.  There is no where for them to go, no way to get help to them other than air drops as most do not even have a space to safely land a helicopter.

Yet NGO´s and the minister of the interior are coordinating releif efforts to Peruvians and have been concurrent with the Pueblo Machu Picchu evacuations.  I am surprised and dissapointed that it is not receiving more press, because it makes people think it is not happening.  The press seems more interested in the toursists.

The logistics of rescuring people in flooded remote mountainous regions is nearly impossible.

Yes, Peru is reacting as though this was unexpected and the first time it has ever happened even though it happens like this about every 20 years and has since recorded history, but they do everything that way.

# hola1980 says :
28 January, 2010 [ 05:24 ]

Rea...my loved ones ARE there. I just also think it is inportant to look after the Peruvian Citizens too. So yes everyone on here does care.
mericorps ..I agree with your post 100%.

# Rea says :
28 January, 2010 [ 17:03 ]

Now that I know my love one is rescued and safe.  I want to help the children and their family who have lost their home.  I'm not a bad person.  When you are put in that situation, all you can do is worry.  So please someone let me know how we can help...

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