World Vision relief supplies continue to pour into the quake zone.

August 23, 2007

By Yadira Pacheco - Communications Coordinator, Peru


More than one week after a massive, 8.0-magnitude quake shook Peru's Ica province, some 100 miles southeast of Lima, the situation in Pisco — one of the province's most affected municipalities — remains one of devastation.

Rescue workers continue to remove dead bodies from the rubble, and the number of casualties is increasing. "We can still see bodies under the large piles of rubble," says Ester Luis, a World Vision staff member in Peru. "Survivors are wandering around the rubble. Children follow their parents or family — they look dehydrated, angry, and tired."

'City Smells of Death'

Early this week, Peru's death toll was put at 503, but emergency workers expect that number to climb. More than 1,000 people were injured by the massive temblor, and estimates of the homeless range from 80,000 to more than 100,000.

A World Vision relief team arrived in Pisco early Tuesday to deliver antibiotics, pain medications, and medical supplies to the Hospital San Juan de Dios. The team also distributed shoes, blankets, and clothing to assist 500 families in Pisco and the city of Ica, the region's capital.

'I Would Ask People to Help'

"Thank you for the sandals you gave me — I like them!" said 12-year-old Karen Cartagena, a Pisco resident. "I would ask people to help us, especially the small ones!"

Material aid from Peru's government also arrived in Pisco early Tuesday. Reports indicate that the town's clean water supply and electricity service have been restored.

Critical Needs

World Vision's relief staff reports that the most critical needs in the quake zone now include:

Blankets for cold winter nights Kitchen kits for cooking Medicines for hospitals

Tools for clearing debris Bamboo mats for beds, roofs, and walls in temporary shelters

Some Pisco quake survivors have found shelter in a local gym, while others are sleeping in makeshift tents near their destroyed homes.

Additional World Vision relief supplies arrived in Pisco this week. These included a shipment of water cisterns with 5,500 gallons of purified water, two water purifiers, 100 water filters, 10,000 food packets — containing milk, juice, tuna fish, and cookies — 70 family tents, approximately 2,000 blankets, and other aid.

To date, World Vision has coordinated five distributions of goods to more than 5,000 beneficiaries.