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In Brief
CHF 22,000 (USD 16,925 OR EUR 14,177) HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FROM THE FEDERATION'S DISASTER RELIEF EMERGENCY FUND (DREF) TO RESPOND TO THIS OPERATION.
UNEARMARKED FUNDS TO REPAY DREF ARE ENCOURAGED.
The situation
Peru was affected by two major earthquakes during the last several months. The city of Moyobamba in the area of Lamas, in the department of San Martin, was rocked by an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale on 25 August. The earthquake caused damage throughout much of the region, causing at least 5 deaths and injuring 59. In total, some 2,446 people were seriously affected. According to the municipality's official report 757 houses will have to be completely rebuilt. On 1 October, an earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale hit the department of Moquegua, followed by another 4.4 earthquake which affected the department of Lima on 13 October. A fourth earthquake, this one measuring 5.8, shook the department of Tacna on 17 October. These earthquakes, although less severe than the first, have caused further damage to already affected houses. Although no death have been reported as a result of these most recent earthquakes, the quakes have caused an estimated USD 6 million in damages, according to the Peruvian Institute of Civil Defence To further compound the difficulties caused by this series of earthquakes, Peru is also being affected by a cold wave in the departments of Apurimac, Arequipa, Cuzco, Huancavelica, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna, which has now reached a critical level. Cold waves in these areas have caused a number of deaths in recent years.
Red Cross and Red Crescent action taken so far
In Moyobamba, the Peruvian Red Cross (PRC) team, led by a member of the National Intervention Team (NIT), has actively worked with the community in the damage evaluation and in the setting up of a camp with 21 tents to provide shelter to the affected people. Some 200 water filters have been provided by the German Red Cross (GRC); so far 125 filters have been distributed and continuous coordination work is being carried out with the Ministry of Health for the distribution of more water filters to the population. In addition, hygiene kits and diapers have been sent to the region to assist 500 families. Funds from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) have been used to purchase 300 hygiene kits. This is being complemented with workshops on hygiene and disaster preparedness. The population is continuing to receive food and water from the government and other organizations. DREF funds are also being used for PRC the response to the earthquake in Moquegua on 1 October. This earthquake has highlighted the need for an improved focus on the identification of water sources and disaster preparedness in order to ensure that the population is better prepared for future earthquakes. Water is considered to be one of the most urgent needs of the population. The PRC is taking initiative in order to work with the community in the reopening of the blocked canals used to water crops, as the majority of the population earns their living through agriculture. The PRC in coordination with the Ministry of Health is also providing psychosocial support to the affected people who are suffering anxiety as a result of the earthquakes. In addition, the PRC, actively working with the National Emergency Committee (COE), is supporting the distribution of clothes in Moquegua. These clothes were collected during a national appeal launched by the PRC, with support from the media, as clothing is a priority in this area, which is also experiencing wave of cold weather.
For information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Peru: Richard Medina, National Relief Director, Peruvian Red Cross, Lima; email coord-socorro@cruzroja.org.pe, phone 511-265-8783, fax 511- 471-0523
In Peru: Magda Pinilla, Regional Disaster Preparedness Delegate, Lima Regional Delegation; e-mail: magda.pinilla@ifrc.org, phone 511-221- 8151, fax 511-441-3607
In Panama: Dario Alvarez, Disaster Management Delegate, Pan American Disaster Response Unit, Panama; email dario.alvarez@ifrc.org, phone 507-316-1001, fax 507-316-1082
In Geneva: Olaug Bergseth, Federation Regional Officer, Americas Department; e-mail olaug.bergseth@ifrc.org, phone 41-22-730-4535, fax 41-22-733-0395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org