PERU EARTHQUAKE 2001
Final Update: June 2002
LA powerful earthquake struck Peru on June 23, 2001. Dozens of strong aftershocks followed.
The earthquake affected 225,000 people, killing 115 and injuring 2,727. More than 53,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
"Many of these areas are accessible only by horseback," said LWR's Martin Blum in Peru. "The earthquake dumped rocks, dirt and other debris into irrigation systems that are critical for these farming communities."Prompt action during the disaster and specific recovery projects afterward were possible because local community organizations in the area had support from LWR in the years before the earthquake.
LWR has been working with people and communities in Peru for more 25 years. After the earthquake, LWR aid "went where there was no other aid, targeting 10,300 people in the most isolated areas," said Pedro Veliz, LWR's Andean Regional Representative.
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LWR's Partners in Peru
Accomplishments
Funding
Next Steps
LWR's Ongoing Work in Peru
Accomplishments:
Most relief supplies were available locally. The greatest need was for cash grants to purchase these supplies. With significant participation from the benefiting communities, LWR and our partners were able to support 2,182 families in Arequipa and Moquegua with the following projects:
Repair and Reconstruction -
3.2 miles of irrigation canals in 7 communities to ensure a productive agricultural season
2.1 miles of potable water pipeline for a community of 900 people
400 small tool sets (pickaxes and shovels) and 100 large sets (wheelbarrow, saw, crowbar, nails, wire, and pickaxe) distributed to communities to assist in rehabilitation of irrigation canals and cultivable land
Shelter -
66 shelter kits to construct temporary housing for 66 low-income, single mother, and/or senior citizen families
Food -
656 small animal groups (egg-laying hens, chickens, bees, and guinea pigs)
food for 20 communal kitchens serving over 6,000 people and kitchen sets (pots, pans, utensils, etc.) for 31 additional communal kitchens
435 quilts and blankets to 250 families
18 water kits (80 liter barrel, 15-liter barrel, and several 3 liter buckets) to collect water for 146 families
Prayers -
Funding:
Support for this relief and recovery program came from:
- Action by Churches Together (ACT), the interchurch emergency alliance that includes LWR;
- the U.S.-based Interchurch Medical Assistance;
- the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;
- The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod;
- the Jose M. Garcia Foundation; and,
- other church groups, congregations and individuals.
Next Steps:
LWR's work in Peru is not over. Having received additional support from generous supporters such as the Jose M. Garcia Foundation, LWR's partners continue to work with communities to repair and reconstruct the essential agricultural irrigation canals and other damaged infrastucture.
Mrs. Angélica López, of La Union, Peru, expressed her gratitude for the support of LWR and its partners:
"When Mrs. Antonia arrived from [LWR partner] AEDES and told us that they were coming to repair the canals... Finally someone had remembered us"
Read more about LWR's ongoing development work in Peru and the Andean Region:
More information will be available soon.
When disaster strikes, in addition to prayer, the greatest immediate need is cash so that our local partners can quickly and efficiently provide needed assistance.
When you make a gift to LWR, you help LWR to respond quickly to emergencies like the 2001 earthquake in Peru. At the same time, your gift to our ongoing development work with people and communities strengthens them and improves their chances of survival when disaster strikes.
To contribute to LWR online, click below.
Contribute by Check or Money Order:
Lutheran World Relief
PO Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
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