Oxfam teams in Peru see emerging security concerns
17 August 2007
Security concerns are rising in the areas hit by the earthquake in Peru, as looters take to the streets and food and water shortages lead to unrest, according to Oxfam teams on the ground in Ica.
Two prisons have reportedly been damaged, and around 600 prisoners have escaped, only a minority of whom have been recaptured.
The situation for rescue workers and those affected by the quake is also being exacerbated by repeated aftershocks, some measuring as much as 6.0 magnitude. The most recent one struck this morning at about 9am, and was felt in Lima as people made their way to work.
Oxfam has sent a five-person assessment team to the worst hit area, including a water and sanitation expert, who will help determine the response. They have been in the town of Ica and will try today to reach more remote rural areas to assess needs there.
The latest death toll is over 500, and it is feared that tens of thousands have been made homeless. Roads and bridges have been damaged, hampering rescue efforts, and the communications and water systems have also been broken. Oxfam and other agencies are also concerned about the spread of disease as a result of the dead bodies on the street and the lack of clean water.
Oxfam's response will focus on provision of clean water, sanitation and shelter. The scale and geographical scope will be decided this weekend, but it will be in both urban and rural areas.
