LIMA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Red Cross (CRC) on Wednesday donated 100,000 U.S. dollars to the Peruvian Red Cross, to help the country deal with the damage caused by El Nino phenomenon.

Chinese ambassador to Peru, Jia Guide, presented the cheque to the president of the Peruvian Red Cross, Maria Garcia, in a brief ceremony.

Jia expressed belief that the Peru government's efforts, backed by international aid, would succeed in overcoming the difficult time. He hoped the financial relief would reach the populations of the most vulnerable areas.

The ambassador added that the Association of Chinese Companies in Peru as well as local Chinese residents had also joined the effort with their own contributions.

Garcia thanked China for its donation, saying the fund would be used to help purchase non-perishable goods, medicine, drinking water and other supplies to be delivered to the hardest-hit populations by torrential rain and landslides.

The El Nino weather pattern along Peru's coasts has caused heavy rains and landslides, leading to the deaths of at least 79 people with 267 injured. About 103,800 were evacuated from their damaged houses due to the extreme weather.

Thousands of houses and dozens of schools and health centers were also ruined, 7,000 km of roads were broken or blocked, with 182 bridges collapsed or damaged.