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Thousands of women march to defend Peru food aid

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-06 09:43

LIMA - Thousands of women marched through the streets of Peru's capital on Tuesday to pressure the government to drop plans to scale back a free milk program.

Protesting mothers, some blowing whistles and shaking empty milk cans while carrying children strapped to their backs, say cutbacks would bust already tight household budgets at a time when food prices are rising.

The government has said it wants to reorganize the program to make sure it reaches the neediest children. It worries many of the kitchens that serve up hot milk hand it out to adults, or kids who can afford it, or steal it to resell.

"The kids will get sick. They will die of hunger," said Emilia Laura, 40, who said she prepares breakfast for some 120 children in Chosica, a town east of Lima.

Peru's economy, which expanded by 9 percent last year, is one of the fastest-growing in the world. But nearly 40 percent of the population lives in poverty and Peruvians waiting for the benefits of the boom have grown impatient.

Dozens of protests have been held this year, putting pressure on the government of President Alan Garcia as his opponents eye the next election in 2011. Already the pro-business president's approval ratings have fallen to 26 percent.

A left-wing nationalist, Ollanta Humala, spooked investors by nearly winning the 2006 election and will likely run again.

His support is strongest in poor and working-class neighborhoods, as well as in areas outside Lima where inflation is highest.

"Humala is charismatic. I have a lot of faith in him and so do the people," said Laura. "Humala would make a good government."