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Peru

Bishop of Cork announces special appeal for Peru

The Bishop of Cork and Ross, The Most Reverend John Buckley, in collaboration with Trócaire, has announced that a special appeal will be held in churches throughout the diocese on Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2, in response to the recent earthquakes in Peru.

Bishop Buckley said all funds from the collection held at masses throughout the diocese would be used to support those most badly affected. "The effects of the first earthquake on August 15 were catastrophic: buildings collapsed, major highways to the coast were torn asunder and power lines were knocked out by the quake," he said. "In one particular town local people were attending a funeral mass in a 300-year-old Church when the quake struck. The entire roof collapsed on hundreds of worshippers. Some escaped but over 60 people were crushed or suffocated to death, including the entire church choir and 15 members of the immediate family of the person whose funeral mass was being offered."

The current death toll stands at over 500, with thousands more injured and more than 35,000 family homes destroyed, leaving over 100,000 people homeless. Thousands of people, particularly in rural areas, urgently need food, shelter and medical assistance.

"As the search and rescue phase of the emergency draws to a conclusion there is a great need for shelter materials, clean water and sanitation services. Initially the focus was on saving lives, now the emphasis is on safeguarding those who have survived but who have lost their homes, their jobs and in many cases their family," said Janet Twomey of Trócaire's Cork office. "This collection will allow us to deliver the help where it is most needed and Trócaire is extremely grateful to both the Diocese and the people of Cork and Ross," she added.

In Peru 49 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line and almost 32 per cent of the population lives on less than €1.50 a day. Experience shows that the poorest areas are the ones that consistently suffer the most during and after a natural disaster. Bishop Buckley said that Pope Benedict had urged people to respond generously to the crisis, to pray for the victims and to support any special collections which could help in alleviating their suffering. "This Diocese has a strong bond with the people of Peru through the many priests and nuns who worked there and through the generosity of the people of the diocese and I know that many people will want to respond practically to this disaster," he commented.

Peru is a priority country for Trócaire, which is working with CEAS, the Catholic Bishops Conference in Peru, and Caritas Peru to assess current needs and coordinate relief efforts.

To contact Trócaire's press team:
Republic of Ireland
Catherine Ginty, Press Officer
Trócaire
T: +353 1 505 3270
M: 086 629 3994

Northern Ireland & UK
David O'Hare, Press Officer
Trócaire
T: 028 90 80 80 30
M: +44 7900053884