Peru's Bishops promote Solidarity Pact to eliminate hunger

By James Blears

Peru's Bishops are calling it the "United Solidarity Pact", aimed at focusing attention on zero hunger.

Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos, President of the Latin American Bishops' Conference, and Bishop Norberto Strottman of Chosica are stressing that there must be economic regeneration after the pandemic. But, they say, it can't lose sight of people.

Combatting after-effects

The goal is to try and moderate the shockwave after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which is causing death and leaving a trail of economic ruin and displacement.

The Church is working with Peru's business sector, civil society, and government to produce a cohesive and humane response to one the huge disasters of our time. Fears are growing that it's impact will be so severe that it could effect future generations.

The "United Solidarity Pact" calls on all sectors of society to create "a balance between economy and health".

As the economy restarts, stimulous won't be enough. People who rely on the informal economy will need to be given better worker's rights, say the Bishops.

Far from over

Peru has been especially hard-hit.  The pandemic has already infected more than 68,000 people, killing nearly 2,000.

Brazil is the worst-affected country in the Americas, with 170,000 infected and 11,000 dead.

None of these are final figures in the death toll, because this global tragedy is far from over.