Peru
Peru has been a partner of Belgian development cooperation since 1965, when the authorities of both countries signed the first Technical and Scientific Cooperation Agreement.
Peru is a medium-income country, even if this categorisation does not reflect the very contrasting realities of the country: Social and geographical inequities, many elements of exclusion, development of provinces that is too weak and other geological and cultural barriers.
In collaboration with the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation, Belgium has defined several activity sectors that target are men, women and children who live in poverty or extreme poverty.
The support to universal health coverage insurance aims at supporting the Ministry of Health in providing healthcare services for all via a universal healthcare insurance mechanism. It ensures optimisation of affiliation, of management as well as the creation and installation of new payment mechanisms. Since 2007, this support has already enabled an increase of 42% of affiliations in poor rural zones.
Sustainable economic development and strategic management of natural resources is the other main sector supported by Belgian cooperation in Peru.
The objectives are to plan sustainable economic and social development (by managing natural resources and the protected natural reserves), sustainable management of the catchment areas as well as the payment systems for environmental services for the whole territory. Since 2006, 2000 coffee producers have increased the quality and profit margin of their organic production by 35% thanks to the use of natural fertilisers and the application of good agroforestry practices.
Moreover, the consolidation of democracy and human rights remains a priority: The years to come will provide capacity development to the population so they can come up for their rights and promote the application of public policies that guarantee respect for human rights.
