Earthquake in Peru

Peru quake

PHOTO: REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil

An earthquake survivor rebuilds his home.

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The 8.0 magnitude quake that struck the coast of Peru on August 15 killed over 500 people and left tens of thousands homeless. In a vast disaster area surrounding the cities of Pisco and Ica, the survivors, many of them living on the streets, are now desperately waiting for help. More than 56,000 houses were destroyed by the quake and several powerful aftershocks.

Survivors struggle to get proper health care. Ninety-six hospitals have been affected by the quake and 14 have been completely destroyed. The damage to the infrastructure is so severe that remote mountain communities could only be reached after days.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Hector Emanuel-IFRC

Red Cross workers unload medical supplies, meant for survivors of the earthquake that destroyed cities and villages in southern Peru

Among the greatest needs are latrines, clean water, and food to avoid epidemics. According to the World Health Organization the area also requires more teams of doctors. International Medical Corps is assessing needs and preparing a team to deliver much-needed medical supplies, hygiene kits, and drugs to the region.

While IMC does not currently have a team in Peru, we are ensuring that donated funds are being directed to operational efforts that will help the worst-affected communities.

If you wish to support emergency relief for Peru, please CLICK HERE.

Since its beginning in Afghanistan in 1984, IMC has earned its reputation as one of the world’s foremost providers of humanitarian aid because of its unparalleled ability to deliver relief quickly and effectively to victims of natural disaster, conflict, famine, and disease. In recent years, IMC has responded to man-made and natural disasters all over the world, including the 2004 tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina in the United States, the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, and the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, among many others.

Programs

Global Disaster Response

Country

Peru

Emergency

Peru Earthquake

Media Type

Image

IMC Reports:

1. South Darfur Assessment: Basic Needs, Mental Health, and Women’s Health Among Internally Displaced Persons in Nyala District, South Darfur, Sudan

2. Displaced in America: Health Status Among Internally Displaced Persons in Louisiana and Mississippi Travel Trailer Parks

3. Chad and Darfur: The Road to Recovery

4. Tsunami Accountability Report: One Year Later

Annual Reports:

IMC 2004 Annual Report
IMC 2005 Annual Report
IMC 2006 Annual Report