Peruvians Find Strength in Surviving a Merciless March · Global Voices
Gabriela García Calderón Orbe

Screenshot from a video shared by Carlo Paredes on YouTube “Evangelina Chamorro: Struggle and courage.”
Since early March, several cities in Peru have struggled with a seemingly endless wave of heavy rains, floods, landslides, road closures, and lately school closures, just days after the opening of the 2017 school year. As the damage continues to spread, more and more ordinary people — in Peru and abroad — are joining efforts online to share the victims’ stories and convey safe wishes, using the social media hashtags #FuerzaPerú (Strength to Peru) and #UnaSolaFuerza (One Single Force).
Peru owes its treacherous weather to what's known as Niño costero (Coastal Child). As of March 16, disasters this season have claimed 62 lives and affected 62,000 people. Ecuador is reportedly suffering, as well.
A news stand on Saturday, March 18. Almost every headline is about the rains. Photo by the author, published with permission.
Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has been using his Twitter account to deliver messages to the Peruvian people, sharing his actions during the disaster and some general recommendations:
He dispuesto entregar S/ 4,400 millones a los gobiernos locales, regionales y nacional para iniciar la reconstrucción de zonas en emergencia pic.twitter.com/HcCen2oWVW
— PedroPablo Kuczynski (@ppkamigo) 17 de marzo de 2017
I've arranged to deliver S/ 4,400 millones [about USD 1.3 billion] to the local, regional, and national government to start the reconstruction of affected areas.
Estamos organizados y listos para atender la emergencia. Mantengamos la calma y obedezcamos a las autoridades. #FuerzaPeru
— PedroPablo Kuczynski (@ppkamigo) 16 de marzo de 2017
We are organized and prepared to face the emergency. Let's keep calm and do as authorities tell us.
Esta emergencia pasará, pero tenemos que ser prudentes. No tomemos riesgos innecesarios como cruzar vías inundadas o puentes debilitados.
— PedroPablo Kuczynski (@ppkamigo) 16 de marzo de 2017
This emergency will end, but we have to be cautious. Don't take unnecessary risks, such as going through flooded roads or over damaged bridges.
Several groups are collecting donations for the worst-hit areas, where locals have made runs on stores, amid rumors and worries about supplies running out. Last week, there were reports of long lines at supermarkets to buy water, following service interruptions.
Limeños llegan a centro comercial Megaplaza para entregar donativos https://t.co/TRUZiHNesn pic.twitter.com/kUh8PxVTAC
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) 18 de marzo de 2017
Limeans go the Megaplaza shopping center to hand out donations.
Colas para llenar baldes con agua. Así igual por toda la ciudad. Av. Parinacochas, La Victoria – Lima @canalN_ @Agencia_Andina @PeruNews pic.twitter.com/o7ZQdEc8kr
— Jorge Campos (@jcampos148) 18 de marzo de 2017
Lines to fill up buckets with water. It's like this all along the city. Parinacochas Ave, La Victoria – Lima.
agua embotellada agotada supermercados colas interminables, prevenir SI – No caigamos en pánico Abastecimiento de alimentos está garantizado pic.twitter.com/pzzlt4DCb1
— Carlos Marill (@cmarilld) 17 de marzo de 2017
Bottled water sold out, endless lines at supermarkets. Preventing YES – Let's not go into panic. Food supply is guaranteed.
For the past week, a woman named Evangelina Chamorro has dominated the news, after literally emerging from the mud following a huayco (mudslide) in the Limean district of Punta Hermosa, where she lives with her family.
Evangelina Chamorro, de 32 años, se salva de morir en huayco de Punta Hermosa y se convierte en símbolo de tragedia en Perú. pic.twitter.com/wv22EJuE5c
— Pao Ugaz (@larryportera) 16 de marzo de 2017
32-year-old Evangelina Chamorro escapes from death after a huayco hit Punta Hermosa and she becomes the symbol of the tragedy in Peru.
Evangelina is currently recuperating in a hospital, amazingly having avoided any life-threatening injuries in the mudslide.
¡Horror!
Esta es la portada de nuestra edición de hoy jueves 16 de marzo de 2017 https://t.co/Xba15WDo2W pic.twitter.com/J8vKppXyeX
— Diario Perú21 (@peru21noticias) 16 de marzo de 2017
The Horror!
This is the front page of today's edition, Thursday, March 16, 2017.
The survival story also inspired a new image by Colombian artist Humberto Álvarez, better known as Alter Eddie, the author of website Se lo explico con plastilina (I'll Explain It With Clay Dough).
#FuerzaPeru #Evangelina #LimaenEmergencia Evangelina Chamorro, todo un ejemplo de lucha y coraje pic.twitter.com/TrANbEmx4n
— alter eddie (@altereddie) 17 de marzo de 2017
Strength to Peru. Evangelina. Lima in emergency. Evangelina Chamorro, what an example of struggle and courage.
As the country faces these terrible challenges this month, a popular phrase, coined by historian Jorge Basadre, has become the national mantra: “Peru is bigger than its problems.”