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ashes, and muscle, joint, and bone pain. Some infections can<br />

progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is potentially<br />

fatal—in 2017 it has already claimed over 50 lives in Peru.<br />

There is no treatment for the virus.<br />

While the government has declared an emergency in<br />

Piura and launched an aggressive fumigation effort, Dengue’s<br />

delayed symptoms, combined with excess standing water—<br />

ideal breeding grounds for mosquitos—make the virus very<br />

difficult to manage.<br />

Rising water flooded stands of mango and<br />

cocoa trees, washing away soil and trees.<br />

Norandino’s response<br />

During and after the flooding Norandino worked tirelessly<br />

to provide short-term relief by offering food, clothing, and<br />

hygiene necessities to affected communities and producers.<br />

They also mobilized crews to help with the clean-up and<br />

fumigation efforts. More recently they have been involved in<br />

In Piura, the disaster displaced<br />

45,000 families, forcing them into<br />

tents in a desert climate, without<br />

water, food, or basic hygiene.<br />

These farmers, whose homes have been ruined, are staying with<br />

family and friends until they can rebuild.<br />

With roads and bridges washed away, travel wasn’t easy. Here a<br />

team from Norandino crosses the flood water on a makeshift raft.<br />

restoring structures, agricultural land, and plant health. Many<br />

coffee farmers are facing increased incidences of crop disease<br />

due to the high levels of humidity from the flooding and rains.<br />

Norandino is working with producers to maintain the health<br />

and productivity of their plants.<br />

Paz Lopez believes that it’s Norandino’s role to step in<br />

during crises. “For 27 years I have been working with small<br />

producers in our country. I realize that the situation of rural<br />

men and women has always been an emergency. That is why at<br />

Norandino we are accustomed to working in these situations,<br />

not only when there are floods or El Niño phenomena, but also<br />

when we face droughts, pests, crop disease, production issues,<br />

or drops in market pricing.<br />

“When there are droughts we worry about how to solve the<br />

lack of water for crops. If plagues occur, we look for ways to<br />

save their production and their plantations. When the prices<br />

fall in the international market, we make efforts to get our<br />

customers to pay above the market price.”<br />

Moving forward, the work of Norandino will be critical in<br />

rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of its members. Fortunately<br />

Norandino and its members have been well supported by the<br />

10 | FAIR TRADE MAGAZINE • CANADA’S VOICE FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

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