Peru - Earthquake Fact Sheet #4, Fiscal Year (FY) 2007

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated August 27, 2007.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

On August 29, U.S. Ambassador P. Michael McKinley and a team of representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Lima, USAID/Peru, and USAID/OFDA traveled to Pisco Province to earthquake-affected areas. The U.S. Government (USG) team found that camp management and the provision of shelter remain the main challenges to the ongoing humanitarian response.

On August 28, the U.N. announced a flash appeal for nearly $37 million to assist more than 200,000 people over the next six months. Immediate needs in the appeal include shelter, medical care, food assistance, emergency relief supplies, tools for debris removal, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.

FY 2007 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE

USAID/OFDA Assistance to Peru: $2,014,220
Total USAID Humanitarian Assistance to Peru: $2,014,220
Total Department of Defense (DOD) Humanitarian Assistance to Peru: $600,000
Total USG Humanitarian Assistance to Peru: $2,614,220

CURRENT SITUATION

The Government of Peru's (GOP) Ministry of Labor has begun a temporary employment program, which allows two members of each affected family to obtain payment for removing rubble and debris. According to the Minister of Labor, the temporary employment program targets 8,000 families in Ica, Chincha, and Pisco provinces. The USAID team observed this program during assessment visits in Pisco and Cañete provinces.

Between August 28 and 29, the USAID team conducted assessments of earthquake-affected districts in Huaytara Province, Huancavelica Region, and Yauyos Province, Lima Region. The USAID assessment team concluded that the main needs of Huancavelica and Yauyos provinces are the rehabilitation of irrigation canals, which are crucial for the area's agriculture-based economy. In Yauyos Province, the team found that the districts of Chocos, Madean, and Vinac require shelter assistance.

Emergency Needs

During an August 27 coordination meeting, the mayors from the affected districts of Pisco Province, confirmed that priority needs include shelter, food, heavy machinery for rubble removal, and rehabilitation of irrigation canals.

In San Clemente District, the mayor reported that a large proportion of the 24,000 residents require water, food, blankets, tents, plastic sheeting, and psychosocial support. The mayor also noted that the water system was damaged and the district, which has the second largest population in Pisco Province, requires assistance to provide water to residents. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Samaritan's Purse has provided assistance in the district, through a local partner, since the day after the earthquake. This assistance includes the distribution of 2,000 blankets airlifted by USAID/OFDA.

Shelter

To address shelter needs, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has provided 5,000 tents, which arrived in Peru on September 3, and will be sent to affected areas of Pisco, Chincha, and Ica provinces. IOM is also purchasing mattresses and blankets for approximately 60,000 people, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

USAID/OFDA is providing support to CARE International, Caritas, and World Vision to provide temporary shelter solutions in earthquake-affected areas.

Note:

(1) Peruvian National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI)