Exclusion of districts in emergency due to earthquake in Caravelí generates indignation and questioning

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that shook the province of Caravelí in Arequipa has left a trail of destruction and desolation in its wake. With at least 51 affected people and numerous uninhabitable homes, the tragedy has hit hard this area in southern Peru. However, what has generated even more concern and outrage is the exclusion of some districts of Caravelí from the emergency declaration, raising questions about the distribution of aid and assistance to those affected. The regional councilor for the province of Caravelí, Aaron Maldonado, has expressed his concern about this situation and has announced that he will request an explanation from the regional manager of Disaster Risk Management, Juan Carlos Burga. Maldonado has voiced his worry about the exclusion of districts such as Bella Unión, where the consequences of the earthquake have been devastating, with educational institutions and homes affected, yet still not receiving the necessary attention. In particular, the Josefina Taya Educational Institution, with 70 students, has had to improvise a space in a municipal warehouse to continue with classes, highlighting the precariousness of the situation they are in after the earthquake. This lack of immediate response and attention to these affected areas has caused unrest among the population and local authorities, who fail to understand why these districts were not included in the emergency declaration. The call for a meeting with the Regional Emergency Operations Center (COER) of Arequipa, where only the mayors of Chaparra, Quicacha, and Bella Unión - precisely the excluded districts - attended, has raised suspicions of possible irregularities in the selection of areas to be assisted. The lack of transparency in this process has generated a climate of distrust and the demand for a clear and detailed explanation of the criteria used to determine the emergency declaration. It is essential for the competent authorities to provide the necessary explanations and ensure that aid reaches all affected areas in Caravelí equitably. The emergency requires an immediate and coordinated response that addresses the most urgent needs of the affected population and ensures the reconstruction of damaged homes and educational institutions. Solidarity and unity are crucial in times like these, where tragedy hits entire communities hard. It is necessary for authorities to act swiftly and transparently, prioritizing the well-being of the affected individuals and ensuring that reconstruction becomes a tangible reality as soon as possible. The exclusion of districts from the emergency declaration cannot result in the exclusion of aid and assistance to those who need it most in these critical moments. The voice of the affected population in Caravelí must be heard and their demands addressed promptly and effectively. Civil society, civil society organizations, and local authorities must come together to ensure that the response to this emergency is adequate and meets the real needs of the affected individuals. In times of crisis, solidarity and collaboration are more important than ever, and it is everyone's responsibility to contribute to the reconstruction and recovery of the areas affected by the earthquake in Arequipa.