Earthquake hits Peru

15 August 2007

On 15 August 2007, an earthquake measuring 8 on the moment magnitude scale hit the coastal region of Peru - 150 kilometres south east of the capital, Lima.

Jacob Goad/PDA-ACT International

The cities of Pisco, Ica and Chincha Alta in the Ica Region, and San Vicente de Cañete in the Lima Region were most affected. But the earthquake was also felt in the capital Lima, where the quake broke windows in the city centre, as well as other Peruvian cities.

In the city of Ica, seventeen people died and seventy people were injured when a church collapsed. They had been attending mass when the earthquake struck. More than 58,000 homes in the city were destroyed. The city of Pisco, which is 260 km (160 miles) south east of Lima, was about 80% destroyed, and as many as 430 people died.

Y Care International's response

In response to the earthquake, the World Alliance of YMCAs and the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs launched a joint appeal to raise funds to help YMCA Peru provide post-emergency relief to the people of Pisco. Y Care International has donated funds to the Peru Earthquake appeal to help the YMCA provide post-emergency relief.

YMCA Peru, together with other organisations on the ground, have identified an area on Pisco beach which will be a temporary home for 1,500 - 1,800 victims. The YMCA will clear the land, install basic services, such as sewage facilities, and provide tents and basic food rations. Over the next year, the YMCA will focus on 3 areas:

• Psychological and spiritual support, especially to children, teenagers and women
• Social, recreational and sporting activities for young people
• Helping to rebuild social networks