Summary: 20 September 2007, Brussels - One month after the disaster, the humanitarian consequences of the 15 August earthquake are far beyond what was initially estimated and the affected people still depend entirely on humanitarian aid for their survival. The European Commission moved quickly following the earthquake and a fast track 'primary emergency' decision for €2 million was signed by Louis Michel, the European Commissioner in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Development, for emergency relief operations. With this new decision, the European Commission will target the most vulnerable and affected persons. The funds will be channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of Commissioner Michel.
"Perhaps we don't see the pictures on our TV screens anymore, but there are still more than 250,000 people who have lost their belongings and houses remain displaced without appropriate shelter, or are relocated in temporary shelters with limited access to basic water and sanitation facilities. And they need our aid", Commissioner Michel said.
ECHO experts were sent to the field since the day after the shock to assess the situation and their reports are still worrying. This second most needed decision by the Commission will contribute to fill the actual gaps in the assistance and will target 200,000 people badly affected. Priority will be given to people left homeless as a result of the earthquake.
The majority of the targeted population live in Ica, Chincha and Pisco provinces, where the impact of the disaster was highly concentrated. The regions of Huancavelica, Ayacucho and Lima will also benefit from this decision, with a particular focus on the Andean areas and people located in rural and suburban areas. The most acute needs are in the shelter, water and sanitation and food sectors. In addition, prompt actions covering existing gaps in the coordination, protection and Disaster
Preparedness sectors will also be supported.
On 15 August 2007, an earthquake registering 8.0 on the Richter scale hit the department of Ica in Southern Peru. The cities most affected, Ica, Chincha and Pisco, are located on the Peruvian coast at 150 km south of the capital Lima. The first fast track 'primary emergency' decision for €2 million was launched by ECHO for emergency relief operations implemented by its partners. Initial needs covered included temporary shelters, medical assistance, food and hygiene kits and the establishment of
emergency telecommunications facilities.
More info :
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/field/peru/index_en.htm
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