The Salvation Army responds to earthquake crisis in Peru
The Salvation Army stepped up its relief programme in southern Peru after two earthquakes in quick succession on Saturday 1 October brought further devastation to that caused by the earthquake which hit the area a week earlier, killing five people, injuring 50 others and leaving hundreds of families homeless. The double earthquakes added 300 more families to the long list of those needing assistance.
Lieut-Colonel Susan McMillan reports from Peru that Salvation Army teams are busy distributing relief aid in Lamas, whose homes and streets are 70 per cent destroyed. Although many homes appear to be still standing, they are uninhabitable. Families want to stay in their houses for fear of losing the few belongings they still have, but are risking their lives by doing so.
The Salvation Army has set up a feeding centre where hot meals are provided for them, aided by an emergency grant of $25,000 from The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters. This money is being used to support the distribution of basic first-response needs, including blankets, mattresses, cooking sets, plastic sheeting and cleaning materials. Septic tanks are being cleaned, and relief teams are providing support for the children and counselling to all who need it following the loss of their homes.
A typical recipient is Julio Chung, who has lived in Lamas all his life. At nearly 80 years of age he had never before felt an earthquake the magnitude of last Saturday’s. Sadly he lost everything that day. Previously, his home was a place where his neighbours would congregate. Now he looks to The Salvation Army for a place to stay.
Julio Chung is just one of hundreds of residents of Lamas who are now homeless. Many of the town’s mud-walled homes have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair and need to be demolished. Some residents have opted to begin demolition of what is left of their homes in spite of the danger, as help from outside the city has been slow in arriving. There is a sense of desperation among the community, with many people sleeping either in tents or on the streets.
In addition to the relief supplies, Salvation Army assessment teams are undertaking an urgent evaluation of homes and will be seeking funding to help rebuild damaged properties. If you would like to help, donations would be welcome to the Latin America Disaster Fund.
