Peru: appeal for earthquake homeless
25 June 2001

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for two million Swiss francs, to support the Peruvian Red Cross emergency operation for victims of the severe earthquake which struck southern Peru on June 23, leaving more than 70 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.

According to Red Cross evaluation teams, as many as 15,000 to 20,000 families (at least 60,000 people) could be homeless in Moquegua and its region alone. At least 50 people are still missing. The regions most affected are Arequipa (pop 700,000) which is 750 kilometres south east of Lima, Moquegua (pop 97,000) which lies south east of Arequipa, Ayacucho (north of Arequipa) and Tacna (south east of Moquegua).

The Peruvian Red Cross has 430 volunteers and staff doing search and rescue and evacuating the injured to hospitals. A joint Federation/Peruvian Red Cross assessment team reached Moquegua yesterday and began assessing the situation immediately. More than 90% of houses in Moquegua are damaged - and 40% of those are completely destroyed. "From what we have seen so far, the number of dead and injured - although tragic - is thankfully fewer than we had originally feared", says Danielle Leblanc, Federation Disaster Response unit delegate and member of the assessment team in Moquegua. "However, the number of people left homeless is much higher than in initial estimates. These people are in shock from the earthquake and are also living outside in very cold conditions. Tents and blankets are the priorities."

The joint assessment team is making its way through rural areas to Arequipa. The numbers of dead, injured, missing and homeless are expected to rise as information comes in from isolated areas. Damage to roads, telephone and electricity lines is extensive and communication is very difficult and slow. The Federation is putting together a coordination unit which will operate from Lima to support the Peruvian Red Cross opération.

The International Federation plans to airlift a first planeload of emergency relief (including tents, blankets and food) today, from its logistics base in Panama. The British Red Cross is deploying two logisticians and the Japanese Red Cross is sending a four-person medical team. Spanish and German Red Cross delegates are already in the country. Many clinics and hospitals have been damaged and health needs will need to be met swiftly as well, including psychological support teams to help people overcome the trauma of losing loved ones and homes. The Red Cross also estimates water needs will have to be addressed quickly. Many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world are offering technical and financial assistance.

The earthquake was Peru's strongest since 1970. The earthquake lasted more than one minute and was felt in Bolivia and Chile as well. This is the Federation's 147th appeal for an earthquake, and the 19th appeal for Peru.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel : +41 22 730 4346/ + 41 79 416 3881

Cecilia Goin, Information Officer Tel : + 41 79 217 3345

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.