Direct Relief is preparing a third emergency shipment of specifically requested emergency aid to help those affected by the August 2007 earthquake in Peru. The aid, valued at $1.1 million (wholesale), includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, intravenous solutions, as well as protective facial masks.
The health situation in earthquake-affected Peru continues to evolve, and assistance is still greatly needed by responders. Direct Relief Senior Program Officer Dan Smith, who has been in Peru since September 13, shares his observations about the current situation and the needs of the community:
Saturday I drove to the city of Pisco with Walter Munoz, Direct Relief's contact at the Catholic Archdiocese of Lima. Walter was quick to point out that even though much progress has been made in some areas (rubble pushed to collection areas, improved delivery of relief supplies and food, and some temporary shelters in place) aid has been slow to arrive to some areas. We were told that the town of Tambo de Mora, located a few kilometers away, was basically leveled and that no aid at all has yet arrived.
For example, we stopped by the town of Grocio Prado, near Chincha and a short half mile or less off the main road. (The main road is mostly repaired except for a bridge in San Clemente that is still out of service). Gorcio Prado looked as it must have right after the quake; the structures were full of untouched debris and litter was everywhere. We were told by a representative from the local church responsible for distribution of aid that they only were able to open their doors twice per week, with resulting long lines, as they simply had so little to offer. She also said that most people were still without even temporary shelter and soup kitchens ("ollas communes") were prevalent.
According to a doctor from the Ministry of Health, the most common health problems are upper respiratory infections, gastrointestinal disorders, eye infections and irritations, and exposure-related skin conditions. We saw only a few temporary shelters (either tents or pre-fab plywood shacks from the government) on our drive and walk through Grocio Prado. The Archbishop has made temporary shelter a priority area for its work.
In Pisco, there was extensive damage to commercial buildings and homes. The government has a work program that pays people about $10 a day to remove rubble and do other relief work, so much of the rubble that can be moved by wheelbarrow has been piled next to the main roads. The overwhelming feeling of the people there is that the debris needs to be cleared away so that they can begin to put their lives back together again and the reconstruction effort can begin in earnest.
There were lots of women and children to be seen, walking around or sitting idle in the plaza, but most men of working age seem to be back at work. According to the local newspaper, only two of the area's forty schools are open.
We saw more temporary shelters in Pisco than anywhere else, although, given the magnitude of the damage, I would have expected many more. I can only imagine how uncomfortable the nights must be for those families living outside their homes, sometimes out in the open, with the cold and damp air approaching freezing. The blankets and personal care items that Direct Relief is providing as part of our 35-pallet shipment will be very much appreciated by these beleaguered people and may provide a small degree of comfort and hope for them.