On February 19, President Dennis Zúñiga of Lima’s Public Charity Board (SBLM), and UN Resident Coordinator Jorge Chediek signed an agreement to refurbish the Puericultorio Pérez Araníbar buildings to house UN organizations in Peru. The event had former UN Secretary General, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, as special guest.

The site, dating from the early 20th century, consists of traditional structures, some of which currently house facilities for children between the ages of three and seventeen who have been abandoned or live in extreme poverty.

Design of the refurbished UN facilities

Under the agreement, unused structures in the building complex will accommodate the ‘UN House’ for ten years. In return, the SBLM will receive $144,000 a year from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), money that will support activities such as occupational workshops and revamped educational facilities offered to children at the Puericultorio.

In a related agreement, SBLM and UNDP will jointly manage a donation of $300,000 (offered by UNDP) to improve the Puericultorio’s facilities and develop educational and recreational activities.

UNOPS has been hired to implement the tendering process and supervision of the refurbishment. The buildings will keep their original design and architectural features but will be upgraded to new environmental standards. This will include use of alternative energy sources such as wind power for outdoor lighting and water recycling.

The UN House will accommodate seven members of the UN family: UNDP, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UNOPS and the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).