Structural neglect and climate vulnerability: informal settlements in Peru's Andes face recurring disaster risks
Original framing: “High risk yet home to thousands: the makeshift towns at the mercy of landslides and floods in Peru” — The Guardian - Environment
The formation of informal settlements in Ayacucho can be traced back to colonial land policies that displaced indigenous populations and restricted access to urban land. This pattern repeats across Latin America, where urbanization is driven by poverty and exclusion rather than inclusive development.
The recurring landslides and floods in Ayacucho are not natural disasters in the traditional sense but the result of systemic failures in urban planning, climate adaptation, and social equity.
Indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable insights into sustainable land use and water management, yet they are frequently excluded from policy discussions. Historical patterns of land dispossession and forced migration continue to shape the geography of vulnerability in the Andes. Integrating community-led solutions, reforming land tenure, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure are essential steps toward reducing disaster risk. The role of media in framing these issues must shift from sensationalizing risk to highlighting the structural inequities that create it.