UK Government assistance for Peru earthquake victims

30 August 2007

Image courtesy of EC/ECHO/Jocelyn Lance

The UK’s Department for International Development today announced that the UK would contribute £750,000 over and above our contribution through the UN to help those affected by the recent earthquake in Peru. The assistance will help meet immediate needs and plan for longer-term reconstruction.

International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said:

"Although the overall situation is improving, there’s still a need for clean water and basic sanitation, as well as help to move essential supplies around the region.

“UK assistance will help provide sanitation and washing facilities for those affected, support recovery planning, and help with rehabilitation and future risk preparedness. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and are ready to support should any additional assistance be required.”

DFID’s aid will include:

• £500,000 to CARE International to provide sanitation and washing facilities for 6,000 families in some of the worst-affected areas;
• £125,000 to the UN Development Programme to support technical recovery planning;
• £125,000 to the UN Habitat Programme to help with rehabilitation and future risk preparedness.

Along with the £750,000, DFID has contributed £1,250,000 from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund and £230,000 through EC contributions to relief efforts. In addition, DFID is funding the team leader of the UN’s Disaster Assessment and Coordination team supporting efforts in the region.

Latest assessments from Peru suggest that over 350,000 people have been affected by the earthquake, with some 56,400 houses destroyed. Over 200 schools and 14 hospitals have also been destroyed.

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Notes to editors

1. The £750,000 in DFID assistance is subject to detailed assessment of funding proposals.

2. The UN Flash Appeal was launched in Geneva and New York on 28 August for $36.9 million, including a UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) draw-down of $9.6 million (of which DFID’s share amounts to £1,250,000).

3. The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) initially released €1,000,000 for the response, which was increased on 17 August to €2,000,000, of which DFID contributes approximately £230,000.

4. The 15 August earthquake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale, hit 160 km south of Lima. The epicentre was 43 km South West of San Vicente de Cañete close to the town of Chincha Alta.

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Links

• Disasters and Emergencies Overseas: How You Can Help
• Reuters AlertNet - Peru earthquake

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