Earthquake Recovery Moving Ahead in Perú
28 November 2007
In the three months after the August quake, Oxfam International has assisted more than 21,000 families in Pisco.
Oxfam International assisted more then 21,000 families with clean water and sanitation, and temporary shelter in the three months since the August 15th earthquake in Pisco.
“Since the beginning we concentrated our $1.1 million program in rural zones of Pisco,” said Francesco Boeren, Oxfam International’s representative in Perú. “We have dedicated our efforts to providing clean water and temporary shelter for people who lost everything during the earthquake.”
Oxfam has provided 2,566 temporary shelters like tents and plastic sheet structures to more than 12,000 people in the districts of Tupac Amaru, San Clemente, Independencia, Humay, and Pisco. The agency installed temporary water points, 600- and 1,100-liter water tanks, and a 45,000-liter water reservoir to serve these towns. Oxfam also brought in water in tanker trucks to 18,060 families (roughly 90,000 people) in Independencia and Humay.
Oxfam is also providing 63 temporary classrooms and semi-permanent pre-fabricated classrooms for schools whose facilities were seriously damaged by the quake. “More than 1,500 students have restarted attending classes, and will not miss this school year,” added Boeren.
Finally, Oxfam is also supporting local civil defense committee’s work with government authorities and social organizations like district women’s associations in Independencia, Humay and Túpac Amaru. This will help them participate in the aid and reconstruction process in the region, to better ensure the needs of ordinary people are met when the government and aid organizations commit money and resources to reconstruction. “We think this is a key element in our aid program, encouraging the population’s participation in decisions about rebuilding, strengthening their organizations, and their joint work to prepare for a possible similar emergency in the future,” said Francesco Boeren. “This contributes to more than just recovery, but to real, long-term development.”
Oxfam International anticipates supporting the reconstruction of Pisco for a year, continuing the work in water and sanitation, and helping to build stronger organizations in Pisco.
