Rapid Response Payment No. 20/2007

Funds Sent to: DIACONIA

Amount Sent: US$ 48,747

Date: 21 August 2007

Details of Payment

Emergency: Earthquake strikes Peru

Date of Emergency: 15 August 2007

Implementing Partners: Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Centre for Studies and Disaster Prevention (PREDES), Evangelical Lutheran Association for Aid to Community Development (DIACONIA).

Details of the Emergency: A 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Peru near Pisco on August 15, 2007 at 6:41 pm local time, which affected an area of about 13,000 sq km. The most affected locations include the regions of Ica (with the cities and provinces of Pisco, Ica and Chincha), Lima (provinces of Cañete and Yauyos) and Huancavelica (provinces of Huaytará and Castrovirreyna).

On August 19, the National Institute for Civil Defence (INDECI) reported that there are 34,410 families affected (mostly by loss of homes), 503 deaths and 1,042 injured. INDECI also suggests that when including the rural areas that have not yet been evaluated, the total number of destroyed homes could be as high as 70,000. Public infrastructure was severely damaged. Electricity supply has been interrupted which caused cuts in the water supply that is supported by electrical pumps in most of the area. Access to the affected regions is difficult due to damage to the main highway and landslides cutting off locations in four valleys. One hospital collapsed and another was partially affected in Pisco. Hospital are overwhelmed and service is hampered by lack of electricity. The government has declared a state of emergency in the region of Ica and the province of Cañete.

Purpose of Response: The current response aims at mitigating the suffering of the population in less accessible, vulnerable and poor rural areas which lack drinkable water, shelter, medicines, clothes and non-perishable food.

Beneficiary information and location of response: The ACT forum formed an emergency committee consisting of the three ACT members: Lutheran World Relief (LWR) - Andean Regional Office, Centre for Studies and Disaster Prevention (PREDES) and the Evangelical Lutheran Association for Aid to Community Development (DIACONIA). PREDES and DIACONIA have assessed the damage and needs of the district of Grocio Prado in the Chincha province where 897 families lost their houses. The access to water is poor as it is mostly procured from wells with electricity-driven water pumps, rendered unusable with the loss of power. Water supply provided by trucks is constrained by the lack of proper storage facilities. LWR assessed the situation in the Huancavelica region and also attended a coordination meeting with INDECI.

Proposed assistance: PREDES and DIACONIA will carry out activities in the district of Grocio Prado, Chincha province. They will provide 100 temporary emergency shelters for selected beneficiaries. The construction will be done by the beneficiaries themselves using local materials. PREDES and DIACONIA will also provide 100 families with a family water deposit, a smaller deposit with drinking water and a latrine. Training materials will be provided for hygiene, construction work and children recreation. In view of the traumatic impact of the earthquake, psycho-social and community support will be given to the communities. This will include a series of workshops in the evenings, on how to organize and cope in an emergency situation as well as manage water and sanitation facilities. The workshops will also address issues and leadership. Recreational therapy sessions will be given to 500 children. LWR plans to implement activities in the Districts of San Juan de Castrovirreyna, Villa de Arma, Cotas, Tantará, Aurahua, and Chupamarca, in the provinces of Huaytará and Castrovirreyna, Huancavelica Region. LWR will provide 250 family with food kits for two weeks. Psychosocial care will be given to 500 children in recreational meetings. Social support will also include trainings for about 1,000 families to strengthen the participants' ability to cope with crisis situations and help the communities organize in effective ways.

Implementation period: Three months from 22 August to 22 November 2007. This RRF is to precede an appeal the ACT members consider to prepare.

The funds will be transferred to the account of DIAKONIA, which will distribute the due parts to the members LWR and PREDES. DIAKONIA and PREDES will account for their respective expenses, while DIAKONIA will establish a consolidated narrative and financial report for PREDES and DIAKONIA. LWR will account for the activities with their own report.

BUDGET FOR PREDES AND DIACONIA: US$ 33,116

BUDGET FOR LWR: US$ 15,631

GRAND TOTAL: US$ 48,747

(For the full budget details, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 48,747 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.

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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.