Peru Earthquake - Update 2 (28 August)

The Salvation Army continues to provide vital aid to victims of the earthquake that brought devastation to large areas of Peru. Volunteers are being recruited from around The Salvation Army's South America West Territory who can travel to Peru and provide some respite for the Peruvian Salvationists who have laboured selflessly since the earthquake struck on 15 August.

In Pisco, where an estimated 90 per cent of buildings were destroyed or damaged, Salvation Army teams are providing three meals a day where needed and distributing water, clothing, blankets and bags of food. As well as catering for physical needs, team members are providing spiritual and emotional support to people who have lost loved ones.

The team in Ica is providing help to local people and also coordinating assistance to the nearby towns of Comatrana, Los Pollitos and Juarez. The team in Chincha is providing aid to 1,200 people.

At the end of last week, Channel 9 presented a live report of The Salvation Army's work in Pisco in its TV programme, 'D-Day'. The show included an interview with Divisional Commander Major Alex Nesterenko. This coverage is a significant step forward for The Salvation Army in what is a strongly Roman Catholic country.

An audio interview with Lieut-Colonel Susan McMillan, Chief Secretary of the South America West Territory, is available on the Canada and Bermuda Territory's web site: www.salvationarmy.ca (click on the web site name for a direct link to the interview page).

Major Cedric Hills, International Emergency Services Coordinator, arrived in Peru from International Headquarters on Wednesday 22 August in order to assist with the planning of the second phase of the emergency response – reconstruction. He was accompanied by UK Salvation Army officer Captain Chris Mulryne.

Sadly, Chris's deployment has had to be cut short as he suffered a heart attack two days after arriving in Peru. He was initially treated at a field hospital but then flown to a hospital in Lima. Major Hills reports that Captain Mulryne is stable and progressing well.