Almost
three weeks after the devastating earthquake, which struck the
coast of central Peru on 15 August, thousands of people continue
to sleep outdoors and remain in need of assistance.
The Red Cross Red Crescent is working together with affected
communities, the Peruvian authorities and the UN to coordinate
moving and distributing essential supplies to those in need,
while assessing the longer-term needs of the quake survivors.
More than 500 people were killed and over 1,300 were injured
in the disaster, which flattened much of the coastal cities
of Chincha, Ica and Pisco. It’s estimated that 80 per
cent of Pisco’s buildings and infrastructure were left
in ruins, while 70 per cent of Chinca’s buildings are
structurally unsound.
In total, more than 37,000 homes were completely destroyed and
another 12,700 were damaged. In addition, 83 health care facilities
and over 500 schools were affected. Roads, water systems and
electricity have been restored to most of Ica City, as crews
now focus on the outlying areas.
Last week, the Peruvian government requested 40,000 more tents
for those made homeless by the disaster. Even prior to this
request, the International Federation and Peruvian Red Cross
had already mobilized around 4,000 tents, with more in the pipeline.
“A lot of people remain in a very difficult situation
without access to safe drinking water, warm shelter or adequate
sanitation,” says Giorgio Ferrario, the International
Federation’s regional representative in Lima.
“Some people are reluctant to leave the area where they
once lived, because they’re worried about losing what’s
left of their possessions or their property, so we’re
reaching out to survivors both in relief camps and those who
are staying near the ruins of their homes, as well as rural
areas.”
Red Cross mobile health teams have been active in the area,
along with specialists in water and sanitation.
So far, eight plane loads of relief supplies have made their
way to the affected area sent from strategically located warehouses
in Panama and Peru. This has included basic first aid and psychosocial
support, the distribution of blankets and tarps, and hygiene
and cooking items, as well as 40,000 litres of fresh water daily
and water storage containers.
During the first 12 days following the disaster, at least 21,500
residents received help from the Red Cross Red Crescent. That
number nearly doubled last week to 40,000 survivors assisted,
as Peruvian Red Cross relief workers and volunteers sped relief
supplies to people throughout the affected provinces.
Time is of the essence, with sand storms and strong winds, known
as “Paracas”, causing temperatures in the quake
zone to plummet recently, leaving people literally out in the
cold.
The differing needs of survivors in urban versus rural areas
is presenting unique challenges to this operation as assessment
teams reach out to remote locations.
In addition to tents, the International Federation is looking
into the appropriateness of alternative solutions, using both
plastic sheeting and tarpaulins together with locally-sourced
wood, ropes and mats.
The International Federation also has an early recovery team
at work in the quake zone to determine the longer-term needs
of survivors as they start down the road to recovery.
“We know from long experience in dealing with this type
of disaster, in Peru but also in places like Pakistan and Indonesia,
that recovery doesn’t happen overnight,” says Ferrario.
“It takes time for people to rebuild their lives and it’s
important that communities take the lead in determining their
own road map for recovery… We plan to continue supporting
them in this effort.”
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The
Red Cross Red Crescent is working together with affected
communities, the Peruvian authorities and the UN to coordinate
moving and distributing essential supplies to those in
need, while assessing the longer-term needs of the quake
survivors. (p16312)
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Workers
and volunteers from the Peruvian Red Cross and the International
Federation pass relief supplies to each other. The International
Federation's Pan-American Disaster Response Unit and it's
regional delegation in Lima both played a large role in
the emergency response to the earthquake. (p16281)
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