SANTA BARBARA, CA (August 16, 2007)  Direct Relief International is moving quickly to respond with medical aid and cash resources to the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Peru yesterday evening.

Program Officer for Latin America Dan Smith, whose wife and daughter are in Peru (they are safe), has received reports from Dr. Ralph Kuon, head of the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS), and from Direct Relief's contact at the Catholic Archdiocese of Lima, and is coordinating Direct Relief's initial response today.

Direct Relief is also in contact with the government Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (Peruvian Civil Defense System), the Peruvian Ministry of Health, and the consulate in Los Angeles, California, and have offered them whatever support is needed.

A recently arrived container of Direct Relief-furnished medical supplies is being used to respond to the emergency, and an additional shipment of medical aid is scheduled to be airlifted into Peru today thanks to a generous in-kind donation of services from FedEx.

In addition to material aid, Direct Relief has made an initial $100,000 cash commitment to the response from its revolving disaster fund. Cash donations designated for the earthquake response will then backfill this outlay, and will only be used for the Peru earthquake recovery.

Initial reports to Direct Relief have detailed damage to hospitals in Chincha, Ica, and Pisco, as well as initial requests for such items as:

• First aid materials, including wound care and orthopedic items
• Antibiotics for gastrointestinal and respiratory infections (the winter climate in Peru is very humid and cold)
• Personal care items such as soaps, shampoos, and feminine hygiene products
• Water purification materials

The earthquake has compromised telephone and Internet communications in and out of the country, and thus details of the extent of the damage to infrastructure is coming in slowly.

Direct Relief has worked in Peru since 1992 and has established a reliable flow of medical support to PAMS and the Catholic Archdiocese of Lima.

The most recent report from the Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil indicates that the earthquake caused 387 deaths and left an additional 1,300 people severely injured.

About Direct Relief International
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. In 2006, Direct Relief provided over $200 million in direct aid through medical material assistance and targeted cash grants to more than 300 healthcare facilities and organizations in 56 countries, providing 23.8 million courses of treatment. Direct Relief is one of two charities ranked by Forbes that has received a perfect fundraising efficiency score for five consecutive years.