First Red Cross relief flight due today into Peru earthquake zone
26 June 2001

The first Red Cross relief flight is due to land in the heart of earthquake devastated Peru later today in Arequipa. It is scheduled to leave at 7 a.m. local time from the regional logistics base of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Panama. The plane will carry 20 tons of relief supplies including shelter tarpaulins, tents, water storage bladders and medical supplies.

In addition to today's relief flight, blankets, food parcels and jerry cans are being purchased in Peru for 25,000 people. The International Federation has set an initial target for relief supply purchases of one million Swiss francs amidst growing concern about the plight of the homeless in a region where night-time temperatures fall below zero.

Procurement is also ongoing for additional relief supplies including kitchen kits, hygiene kits, blankets and mattresses, water containers and sanitation supplies. Delivery will be by a combination of sea, land and air transport. This and future relief flights, as well as the first phase of relief supplies are funded through support from British Red Cross/DIFD government funds and the European Union/ECHO.

The number of homeless people in need of shelter and assistance could be 100,000 or higher according to Iain Logan, operations manager for the Americas. Numbers may rise as new information comes in from Red Cross assessments. Some 800 Peruvian Red Cross volunteers and staff continue their search for survivors in the rubble, dispensing first aid and transporting the injured to hospital

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

Denis McClean, Head of Media Service, Tel.: +41 22 730 4428/ + 41 79 217 3357

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel: +41 22 730 4436 / +41 79 416 3881

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.