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Peru

Earthquake in Peru: Health situation report 23 Aug 2007


1. Summary of the general health situation and priorities

Preliminary damage assessment(*)

Cañete
Chincha
Pisco
Ica
Other locations
Total
Deaths
6
85
336
71
16
514
Injured
172
240
100
487
91
1.090
Missing
49**
Homes
destroyed
3.429
13.365
16.050
300
4.465
37.599
(*) According to Estimates from INDECI, 23 Aug 2007.
(**) Source: Public Ministry, Pisco.

- The health network:
  • Pisco: two hospitals destroyed, 22 affected health centers.
  • Ica: four affected hospitals, 19 health centers functioning.
  • Chincha: one hospital is 100% functional, another hospital 60% functional. The health network has 29 facilities, only 3 were affected.

- Eighteen (18) educational centers were destroyed, 118 affected and there are 29 highways affected.

- In Pisco, the most affected locality, tanker trucks continue to supply drinking water to most of the population. The sewage system has collapsed and sewage is draining directly into the sea. 180 chemical latrines have been installed in public places and in shelters, where chemical latrines will be supplemented with dry pit latrines.

- The emergency situation in Pisco continues; the impact of the earthquake along with existing poverty in many parts of the city has caused a large social emergency that will require a great deal of attention to health issues in the coming days, weeks and beyond.

- The majority of the affected population (approximately 40,000 families) is still in improvised shelters without basic necessities, or outside of their homes with their furniture and household items.

- The health network in the affected areas of Chincha and Ica is gradually recovering, and patients are no longer being sent to Lima for care. In Pisco, the health network situation is still critical.

- PAHO/WHO continues supporting a Health Situation Room in the Ministry of Health headquarters in Lima.

- PAHO/WHO has coordinated with UNICEF in the field of water and sanitation.

- The LSS/SUMA system, a tool to manage humanitarian relief and ultimately lead to transparency, continues to inventory and organize the assistance received. Under the coordination of the Civil Defense, additional LSS/SUMA posts have been set up in the Emergency Operations Center in Lima, the port of San Martin in Pisco and in the port of Callao.

- A technical team of engineers and architects is evaluating the structure of the health services network in the area affected by the earthquake; this includes hospitals and health centers. It will identify the degree of damage to the buildings and their surroundings and will recommend rehabilitation or replacement.

Most Urgent Health Sector Priorities

- Water supply and quality control

- Improve basic sanitation and health conditions in all shelters(formal and improvised), and in formally established shelters, improve the provision of basic services, safe drinking water, solid waste management and psychosocial support.

- Continue to carry out assessments of the health services network, particularly in Pisco, and make recommendations for recovery.

- Continue with epidemiological surveillance disease prevention activities.

- Optimize the efficient organization and accelerate the distribution of humanitarian aid by using the LSS/SUMA system.

Complete report (in Spanish)