Peru: Massive earthquake information update (16:00 CET / August 16, 2007)

Following the massive earthquake in Peru, the ACT Coordinating Office (CO) made contact at 15:00 (CET) with Eduardo Contreras Ivárcena, a Program Manager with Lutheran World Relief (LWR) in Lima. Mr. Ivárcena confirmed that the three most affected cities to the south of Lima are Ica, Chincha and Pisco. The BBC also reports that most of the deaths are in the coastal province of Ica, about 265km (165 miles) south of Lima.

LWR in Peru says that ACT members will be meeting this morning (Lima time) and will be sending further information as well as an alert, hopefully by late morning. Mr. Ivárcena also said that many roads and highways are heavily damaged and that some areas can only be reached by helicopter.

ACT member, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DEA) reports that they are sending a staff person already located in the region to Lima.

The ACT CO will remain in contact with the members in Peru and continue to update the wider alliance on any plans for a response.

ACT members in Peru:

Centre for Studies and Disaster Prevention (PREDES)

Evangelical Lutheran Association for Aid to Community Development (DIACONIA)

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) - Andean Regional Office

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.