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Peru
Website of the SDC in Peru: www.cooperacion-suiza.admin.ch/peru/
 The SDC has been working in Peru for 45
years. Today, Swiss development cooperation there encompasses the activities of the SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The SDC concentrates its assistance on three of the
poorest regions in the country’s mountain area: Cajamarca, Cusco and Apurimac. By supporting the disadvantaged inhabitants of these regions and helping to shape national, sectoral and regional
policies, Switzerland aims to help reduce social and economic inequalities. In recent years, Peru has further consolidated its high level of economic growth. However, this dynamic development
threatens to divide society, because nearly 40% the population live in poverty, thus intensifying pressure on natural resources. Central to SDC activities are measures promoting good governance and
sustainable economic growth, management of natural resources and humanitarian aid. |
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Development Cooperation: Priorities
In recent years, Peru's economic growth has been characterized by a growing disparity between economic growth and social inequality. Poverty figures are still high, especially in rural areas: 36% of
Peruvians live in poverty, and 13% in extreme poverty. In the Andes region, up to 80% of the population are poverty-stricken. This situation can be seen as a direct result of the historical
discrimination against broad segments of the population who were denied a say in decision-making processes and refused access to education, health and productive resources. In addition, the wanton
depletion of natural resources is threatening and destroying the basis of people's livelihoods.
For some years now, a process of decentralization has been giving the regions more powers and financial resources, but the necessary institutional capability for effective implementation of these
resources so as to benefit the poor is still being built up.
Swiss development cooperation has been present in Peru since 1964. From the outset, it has concentrated on rural development and is specifically directed at reducing poverty. With its many years of
operative experience at local and regional level, Switzerland can provide positive support for the country's existing economic and political vitality, striving to make the resources deployed more
effective by stressing the shaping of conditions for socially balanced, sustainable and democratic development.
Following the 2008 “Message on countries of the South”, a new Swiss cooperation strategy (SDC and SECO) was drawn up for 2009-2011. The challenge facing it will be to support Peru, as a medium-income
country, in passing on its strong economic growth to its poor citizens too, through redistribution and targeted government social policies. This strategy also aims to ensure a harmonious changeover
in Peru from SDC instruments to those of SECO by the end of 2011.
SDC activities concentrate on three priority regions: Sierra Norte (Cajamarca), Sierra Sur (Cusco, Apurimac) and Lima, and medium-sized cities. The programme focuses on three priority areas which
draw on SDC and SECO experience, as well as on Switzerland's comparative advantages:
- Strengthening of democratic institutions: promoting dialogue between government and civil society, greater citizen participation, as well as support for a decentralized, effective and
socially oriented public administration which allows all citizens equal access to basic services and justice.
Main themes: decentralization, access to justice, institutional strengthening of the Ombudsman services, conflict prevention.
- Promotion of sustainable economic growth geared to disadvantage population groups: improved competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the regions helps create stable
employment, boosts the income of poorer population groups (pro-poor growth) and provides better access to national, regional and global markets.
Main themes: promoting competitiveness by networking small businesses, access to national and international markets through meeting international standards and diversification, vocational training in rural areas, improved economic and social conditions and a better business environment, access to financial resources, promotion of tourism.
- Reinforcing the sustainable use of natural resources, promoting cooperation among local, regional and national players in order to make the population less vulnerable to natural
disasters and climate change.
Main themes: integrated management of natural resources, public-private partnerships on water-infrastructure and wastewater projects, sustainable use of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The SDC is especially interested in supporting the development efforts undertaken by the Peruvian population itself. To this end, it cooperates with the Peruvian government, municipalities, and community networks; Peruvian non-governmental organizations; Swiss relief organizations; and international organizations such as the World Bank.
Switzerland encourages networking and alliances with national partners at various levels and coordinates cooperation with other bilateral and multilateral donors.
Humanitarian Aid: Priorities
Humanitarian needs in Peru are a result of socio-economic conditions, limited land resources and the migration of its people from the countryside to the cities. In addition, Peru is regularly hit by
natural disasters – particularly floods, extreme weather phenomena like El Niño, and earthquakes. The most recent major earthquake, measuring 8.0 on the Richter Scale, occurred in August 2007 in the
Ica/Pisco region of southern Peru.
In recent years, the economy has recovered slightly, and social indicators (e.g. infant and maternal mortality) are more positive. A recent study shows that Peruvian children under the age of five
are particularly affected by chronic malnutrition. The SDC’s Humanitarian Aid Department and the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (HA/SHA) are concentrating their activities in the following
domains:
- Disaster risk reduction in connection with natural disasters: Even though in recent years Swiss humanitarian aid (HA) was involved in executing various emergency relief actions to ease the
suffering of victims of natural disasters such as cold waves or earthquakes, its focus in the countries of the Andes is currently on preparedness and prevention. The SDC devotes special attention to
cooperation with government institutions on the establishment and strengthening of local capability, raising people's awareness of prevention issues and best practices. For instance, as part of
reconstruction in the wake of the August 2007 earthquake, earthquake-proof construction techniques have been encouraged in rural area. In addition, the SDC supports Peruvian civil protection in the
construction of training facilities for, and the training of, search-and-rescue teams.
- Substantive contribution to food assistance programmes: Switzerland supports food-security programmes sponsored by the World Food Programme (WFP), NGOs and church organizations, primarily with milk product donations. Caritas Switzerland coordinates the church projects. The recipients are mainly school children and needy groups.
Since January 2004, an Assistant Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid based in