PERU EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Latest Update: 

 

It is now over 7 weeks since the 8.0- magnitude quake struck Peru’s Southern coastline killing over 500 people and leaving many thousands more without shelter, sanitation and water supplies.

 

Thousands of people are now facing the prospect of trying to rebuild their lives having lost their homes and possessions. In the midst of all this destruction, feeding centres, operated by our partners Union Biblica Del Peru are bringing hope to some of the poorest and worst affected.

 

We would like to thank everyone who has helped make this possible by donating so generously to the earthquake appeal- your gifts are now enabling 7 feeding centres to operate, feeding 1,411 children in the region of Ica every day.

 

In addition, the new centre for abandoned boys in Ica is also on target for its new earlier completion date of January 2008.

 

Donations for this appeal can be made on line at our dedicated just giving website

http://www.justgiving.com/PeruEarthquakeAppeal

 

Or by post to:-

Vine Trust Earthquake Appeal

83 Laburnum Avenue

Port Seton

East Lothian EH32 0UD

Please make cheques payable to 'The Vine Trust'

 

Photos from the affected area...

The water truck delivers water to the affected areas:

 

The city of Pisco was badly affected with most of the adobe buildings collapsing:

The feeding centres are now serving 1,411 children:

 

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Update: 20.08.07: All four feeding stations are now up and running, providing food and water for those affected by the disaster.

In direct response to a request for assistance from our partners

Scripture Union Peru. Vine Trust has released an immediate US$150,000 to set up emergency relief for abandoned children in Ica and the surrounding area and to accelerate the construction of the Ica street children’s centre which was due for completion in October 2008.

The immediate aim will be to establish four feeding centres aimed particularly at abandoned and orphan children who will be least well placed to cope with this tragedy whilst also supporting the wider community at this time.

SU Peru has already given away tents from their camping programme to homeless families and are looking at how the Kawai Street Children’s Home “Casa Girasoles” can be used to accommodate more abandoned children. They have also sent a large marquee to Chincha to set up a relief centre.

Paul Clark General Director of SU Peru writes.

“There is a chronic shortage of water.  One of our workers visited Chinca, a village in the area, yesterday 17th August. They were carrying mainly water in their car. They stopped in front of a friends house.  They could not open doors or windows of the car as children and adults pressed against the car with outstretched hands; 

Por favor, solo un vaso de agua (please, just a glass of water).

Vine Trust expects that these feeding centres will be required for at least the next two months as the region seeks to recover from what is a major catastrophe.

Communications are exceptionally difficult, reports from Pisco just outside Ica speak of up to 80% of all buildings destroyed.

News updates are available at bbc.co.uk/news/Americas.