Peru: Earthquake - Nov 2021

On 28 November, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Amazonas region in northern Peru. Per the National Civil Defence Institute (INDECI), the 131 km- deep quake affected some 2,800 people across 35 provinces. Areas in Ecuador and Colombia also reported shaking. There are no reports of deaths, nor significant numbers of injuries. Government officials expect the impact to remain relatively low given the sparse population density of the affected areas. Preliminary official reports found that the earthquake destroyed or rendered 127 houses uninhabitable, damaging 535 others, leaving 600 people without their homes. Officials indicate that the impact is well within the Government's ability to respond. INDECI is currently on the ground delivering humanitarian goods and working with regional emergency operations centres. (OCHA, 29 Nov 2021)

On 30 November, the government declared a 60-day emergency in the Regions of Loreto, Amazonas, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, and San Martin. The government launched a multi-sectorial plan to provide an immediate response to the affected families. According to the Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) reports, the earthquake caused damage in the jurisdictions of Luya and Chachapoyas in the Amazonas Region. According to preliminary reports on 2 December, 13,013 people were affected, 255 homes collapsed, 873 were rendered uninhabitable, 2,102 homes & 71 schools were affected, and 17 people were injured. (IFRC, 6 Dec 2021)

As of 12 December 2021, shockwaves were registered in 65 provinces of 12 different departments. The main impact is concentrated in the departments of Amazonas, Cajamarca, Loreto, and San Martin in the north of the country, in the Amazon jungle (COEN 06/12/2021). As at 14 December, the earthquake has caused the death of one person and injured 17. Over 5,100 houses, 518 schools, and 71 hospitals were affected (COEN 14/12/2021; El País 01/12/2021; EFE 29/11/2021). (ACAPS, 12 Dec 2021)