Peru: Almost a month after the earthquake World Vision is still on the ground

Almost a month after the devastating earthquake (8 degrees on the Richter Scale) that shook the central coast of Peru, last August 15th, World Vision is still on the ground providing humanitarian aid to the most affected families in 39 neighbourhoods of Chincha, Pisco and Ica.

During the fist stage, the response reached to 9,300 families with food, water, blankets, clothing, shoes and tents, which are valued in 300,000 USD.

For the second stage World Vision estimates to surpass 10,000 families with the distribution of 6343 basic kits, 2900 school kits, as well as 2200 temporary shelters and 236 latrines

This weekend in Chincha there were distributed the first 940 basic family kits, containing tools, matting sheets, blankets, stoves, and kitchen and dinner supplies. Mr. Richard Hotes, CEO of Alaska Structures, the American construction company, remarked World Vision's work for its organization and control on the distributions, while he was at the zone of the disaster. Thanks to his contribution it would be possible to increase the number of kits in 550.

World Vision is working closely with the local government and other NGOs to guarantee the selection of beneficiaries and to avoid duplicity.

In Guadalupe, Ica, people is already organized to start the construction of temporary shelters, now that the model has been defined as well as the beneficiaries. Paul Boniccelli, assistant manager of USAID for Latin America, visited Ica and supervised the advancements done with this project that gathers World Vision, Care and Caritas under the financial support of OFDA. He stressed the importance of the level of community organization got by World Vision. Boniccelli also committed extra funds for removal operations to accelerate the constructions.

Up to date the official information of the National Civil Defence on the earthquake's aftermath reports a total of 519 deaths,1844 injured, 52,896 destroyed houses and 22,939 affected. In the same way, 70 schools are destroyed and 888 are affected.

Water and electricity services are getting almost fully restored, but drainage is still inoperative. Some people are living in shelters, most set up tents in front of their collapsed houses. Most of the children can't go back to study yet

The removal of rubble is reported only to the 19.75% due to the insufficient machinery. Housing is now the most critical problem. The reconstruction phase is getting delayed due to the lack of construction material in such a great amount. Wood and matting materials are taking between fifteen and thirty days to be prepared.