Appeal Target: US$ 852,352

Total requested: US$ 758,357

On August 15, 2007, an earthquake of a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale occurred 62 kilometers from the city of Pisco, and 262 kilometers to the south of Lima, Peru. The earthquake affected the southwestern part of Lima, on the west coast, along a stretch 186 kilometers long and 70 kilometers wide, covering an area of approximately 13,000 square kilometers. The regions hardest hit were Ica (provinces of Pisco, Ica, and Chincha), Lima (provinces of Cañete and Yauyos) and Huancavelica (provinces of Huaytará and Castrovirreyna).

The earthquake resulted in 540 deaths, some 4,200 injuries, 52,000 victims and close to 200,000 persons affected. Approximately 53,000 homes were destroyed and around 22,000 homes were affected, as well as schools, hospitals and health centers. Likewise, 20 kilometers of irrigation canals were destroyed (11 kilometers in Castrovirreyna and 9 in Huaytará), and approximately 44 kilometers of canals were affected.

In the days after the disaster, ACT Forum members PREDES, DIACONIA and LWR assessed the damage in areas they are operating in. A RRF was issued to support the population in the provinces of Chincha, Huaytará and Castrovirreyna. PREDES and DIACONIA provided emergency shelters, water deposits and sanitation. They distributed training materials related to hygiene, construction of earthquake resistant housing and assistance to children to cope with disasters. The members also provided psycho-social and community support to the communities. LWR distributed food kits to families and provided psychosocial care to children and trainings to strengthen the coping capacity of the affected families. The Church of Sweden supported the implementing members through a team providing training on an Community Based Psycho-social Approach, which is considered very appropriate in these circumstances.

Unforeseen difficulties with coordination have unfortunately delayed the process of launching this appeal. But the assessment by the ACT members in Peru shows that there is still a considerable need to implement the activities as proposed.

LWR is planning to assist 900 families in the districts of Arma, Aurahuá, and Chupamarca in the province of Castrovirreyna, with activities to restore health and living condition, in particular by building temporary shelters for 200 families, rebuilding  3,000 meters irrigation canals and installing 3 irrigation systems. LWR will assist 30 local promoters (both men and women) in post-trauma treatment and provide professional accompaniment to 550 families.

DIACONÍA proposes assistance in the districts of Huangascar, Viñac and Madeán providing (i) construction of 200 multipurpose shelters for families and strengthen the capacity of  400 households to build improved safe and healthy houses; (ii) restoration of  3,500 meters of irrigation canals; (iii) support to 1,500 people in the recovery from post-traumatic stress.

PDA, together with its local implementing partner Manos Unidas contra la Pobreza, plans to assist 150 families in the community of San Benito, Chincha, with provision and maintenance of a water supply system and the installation of an alternative drainage system.

PREDES plans to intervene together with its implementing member KAIROS in the provinces of Chincha and Pisco. They will build some 70 modules of safe and healthy quincha (local construction material) homes and assist the population with construction and maintenance of 420 other modules; they will provide mental health support to 150 families through trained promoters; and provide training to 20 promoters for psycho social care and carry out a diagnosis of some 500 affected people; they will also provide capacity training in management, planning and political advocacy for district and local authorities, communities and 30 volunteers.

Project Completion Date:

LWR: 30 November 2008

DIACONIA: 30 November 2008

PDA: 31 May 2008

PREDES: 31 July 2008

Reporting schedule: 

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested:                                                                                                                                                    

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office