AN APPEAL to help thousands of people affected by the torrential flooding in Peru has been set up by the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge.

The diocese of Worcester is in partnership with the diocese of Peru, which has been suffering — with its neighbour, Colombia — from heavy flooding caused by El Niño. Dr Inge has recently returned from a visit to Peru and has now written to all churches in his diocese to ask them for donations.

He said: “I am very pleased our partner diocese has developed a clear action plan to offer practical help on the ground, and have asked for our support, so that we know any gifts we send will be put to good and practical use in helping the Church serve the needs of those who have been so badly affected.”

He hopes to raise £8000 to help the estimated 150,000 people who have been left homeless by the rains. More than 100 people have been killed and schools, and roads and hospitals destroyed.

In Colombia, a mudslide killed nearly 300 (News, 7 April).The President of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, said last week that the region should expect more El Niños because of climate change, and that countries had to plan to prevent major flooding in future.

The Anglican Church in Canada has made an emergency grant of $20,000 (£12,000) to help those affected by the floods.