IOM is this week distributing tents and relief supplies, including mattresses, blankets, sheets and kitchen sets to victims of the earthquake that struck the Department of Ica on 15 August.
The initial emergency shelter plan called for the creation of camps with provisional shelters for those left homeless, but after further assessment, the Government of Peru decided that no additional shelters will be set up and has begun the reconstruction process in the cities of Pisco, Ica and Chinca.
The government's decision to provide assistance to the victims in their towns and villages was based on the reluctance shown by most victims to abandon their homes. Those who did not take refuge in the camps that were initially created, will set up the tents provided by IOM on their land so that they can watch over their belongings and begin rebuilding their homes.
IOM will continue to purchase tents and other emergency relief items that will delivered to the families registered by Peru's Civil Defence Institute (INDECI by its Spanish acronym).
Peru's Prime Minister, Jorge del Castillo, publicly thanked IOM and UN agencies for the assistance and the good quality of the material distributed thus far, and added, "This assistance will help the victims live through the reconstruction process."
A first shipment of 5,000 IOM-purchased tents arrived at Pisco airport over the weekend. A second shipment of 3,000 tents and 22,500 mattresses are scheduled to arrive in Pisco in the coming days.
An IOM team of 20 staff were deployed to Pisco where they are working with INDECI officials and the local authorities, and will remain in the area throughout the reconstruction process.
IOM began purchasing emergency relief supplies immediately following the approval of US$4,419,000 million from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for IOM to carry out its emergency work in Peru.
As a lead agency in shelter and camp management IOM is working with INDECI, the ministries of health, water and sanitation, labour, and women and social development, as well as with the local government.
Peru's National Institute of Civil Defence reports that 519 people lost their lives and 1,366 were injured; 60,519 houses were destroyed and more than 14,000 were damaged. Fourteen hospitals were completely destroyed and 103 were damaged.
For more information, please contact Oscar Sandoval at IOM Lima, Tel: +51.1.221.7209, Email: osandoval@iom.int
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