Earthquake relief efforts and independent fundraising campaigns are cropping up all over North America to help the victims of the earthquake in Peru. From Mercy Corps (See: http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/emergencies/1798) to Medical Teams International (See: http://www.nwmedicalteams.org/site/PageServer) - but perhaps the most impressive efforts are on the part of Peruvian ex-pats working for their Peruvian brothers and sisters.
Just a couple of the great events are listed below.
Andina Restaurant - one of Portland's premiere dinning experiences (see: http://www.andinarestaurant.com/) - is holding a fundraising dinner.
When: Sunday, September 2, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Bar Mestizo is open for cocktails and tapas from 4:00 p.m. to midnight.
Where: Andina Restaurant 1314 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209. Reservations: 503-228-9535
Event Description: In response to the 8.0 earthquake in Peru, The Andina Restaurant has teamed up with Mercy Corps. The Platt-Rodriguez family will donate 10% of net dinner sales at Andina, named 2005 Restaurant of the Year by the Oregonian, on Sunday, Sept. 2 to Mercy Corps' Peru Earthquake response.
"We are concerned about the well being of all the people who live and work in Peru, especially the regions of Pisco and Chinca, which were devastated by the earthquake," said Peter Platt, son of Doris Rodriguez de Platt, who owns Andina with her family. "This benefit is our way to do what we can to help others in our native country."
More Information: Please contact The Andina Restaurant at (503) 228-9535 for reservations or book online at: www.AndinaRestaurant.com.
The Mission of Alto Cayma and Father Alex Busuttil (along with his congregation in Alto Cayma, Peru) are also creating a fundraising drive - amongst some of the poorest citizens of Latin America. From an e-mail report posted by Jim Hintz:
"Dear Friends of Alto Cayma,Father Alex has done a masterful job of organizing the people of Alto Cayma to come to the aid of their stricken countrymen in nearby Ica/Pisco/Chincha. Neighborhood by neighborhood, Ada¡n and a crew of volunteers are going house to house to collect donated clothing and food.
Not only that, Father Alex has challenged the people, poor as they are, to contribute 2.50 soles (about 75 cents U.S.) per family in cash. He expects 6,000 families to respond, which will provide enough money to buy 6 tons of rice.When I heard what these poor people are doing, I couldn't help but think of us from the exterior, the "Serving Alto Cayma family".
This message (and the weekly Reports) goes to 300 addressees. If each one were to contribute $20, we could raise $6,000 to turn over to Father Alex to supplement what he's already doing. Of course, I know that not all 300 are going to contribute, because you are already doing so much in so many areas, but if 40% of us could contribute $50 each we could achieve the same end result.Many of you have already responded, for which we thank you.
For those of you who have not yet participated and would like to do so, please make your check out to Advent Peru Mission Support Fund, with Earthquake Relief on the memo line, and mail the check to Susan Hartsell, 1025 Autumnwood Lane, Charlotte, NC 28213"
As always - anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation to the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund" can donate on-line at: http://www.hbint.org/donate/on-line-giving.php. The money we receive through your generous contributions will go to support Peruvian and International NGOs providing relief and comfort directly to the victims of the earthquake. In addition, your donations will go toward the support and development of long-term, sustainable community development projects in areas hardest hit by the earthquake.
Please send an e-mail to Info@HBInt.org indicating that you have made a donation towards the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund." Thank you for your continued support!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
An Update from Billy Clark at Union Biblica del Peru
We just received another update from our partner in Peru, Union Biblica. This update comes to us from Billy Clark and illustrates how "random" the destruction and devastation from the earthquake was.
As the dust just begins to settle, the people of Peru need our prayers and warm wishes more than ever.
Billy Clark writes in an e-mail to family and friends:
"God´s blessings are often followed by opportunities to bless others. Last Wednesday I had returned home early. A star intern had suggested I spend a few moments with Yashmín and the girls. She would take the work team to dinner and on to the airport.
It was strange but we were happy. Hope bounced on my knees. Faith danced her favorite salsa in a pink fairy tale gown and Grace sat across the room pretending to read a picture less chapter on pre-Columbian textiles. Yashmín smiled.
Suddenly, the windows rumbled. A windy day? A truck passing by? Something fell in the bathroom. I turned to Yashmín. She winked at me but fear had replaced a twinkle in here eye.
Grace looked up. “What´s that?”
“What,” said Faith, “I´m dancing”
“Come baby”, I said. I held Hope, her white finger tips pressing against my neck.
“Es un terremoto, mi amor”, said Yashmín (It´s an earthquake) in a calm voice as we locked eyes and moved carefully toward the stairs.
The garden would be safer, or the seismic-proof doorway, which was as far as we got.
Two minutes after that first rumble and it was all over. We huddled for a moment and then life resumed.
7.9 at the epicenter and only two hours from us, my friend Alan stood in the street. By the time he had made it to the pavement the solid mud walls and thatched roof of his house collapsed. Within 120 seconds he was homeless.
He stood with his family, but his story is very different than mine. No house to return to, no books to read or dancing. He will wake to face tomorrow in a lonely park of strangers, beneath a tent. Hungry, he will ration his food for later, thirsty he will swallow hard. He will pray and he will wait.
As the dust just begins to settle, the people of Peru need our prayers and warm wishes more than ever.
Billy Clark writes in an e-mail to family and friends:
"God´s blessings are often followed by opportunities to bless others. Last Wednesday I had returned home early. A star intern had suggested I spend a few moments with Yashmín and the girls. She would take the work team to dinner and on to the airport.
It was strange but we were happy. Hope bounced on my knees. Faith danced her favorite salsa in a pink fairy tale gown and Grace sat across the room pretending to read a picture less chapter on pre-Columbian textiles. Yashmín smiled.
Suddenly, the windows rumbled. A windy day? A truck passing by? Something fell in the bathroom. I turned to Yashmín. She winked at me but fear had replaced a twinkle in here eye.
Grace looked up. “What´s that?”
“What,” said Faith, “I´m dancing”
“Come baby”, I said. I held Hope, her white finger tips pressing against my neck.
“Es un terremoto, mi amor”, said Yashmín (It´s an earthquake) in a calm voice as we locked eyes and moved carefully toward the stairs.
The garden would be safer, or the seismic-proof doorway, which was as far as we got.
Two minutes after that first rumble and it was all over. We huddled for a moment and then life resumed.
**********
7.9 at the epicenter and only two hours from us, my friend Alan stood in the street. By the time he had made it to the pavement the solid mud walls and thatched roof of his house collapsed. Within 120 seconds he was homeless.
He stood with his family, but his story is very different than mine. No house to return to, no books to read or dancing. He will wake to face tomorrow in a lonely park of strangers, beneath a tent. Hungry, he will ration his food for later, thirsty he will swallow hard. He will pray and he will wait.
**********
Rescue efforts are challenged by fallen bridges and swallowed up roads. Our government has created an “air bridge” to send in emergency aid. Our dead can be buried but our wounded must be helped. Getting to Alan will not be easy. Through common friends we have reached him with a bit of money, some food and water. We have old camp tents that can be used and we will draw up plans to rebuild.
Hard to imagine someone I work with so closely losing so much. Pray for Alan and for his family and for the hard days ahead."
Anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation to the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund" can donate on-line at: http://www.hbint.org/donate/on-line-giving.php
Please send an e-mail to Info@HBInt.org indicating that you have made a donation towards the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund." Thank you for your continued support!
Rescue efforts are challenged by fallen bridges and swallowed up roads. Our government has created an “air bridge” to send in emergency aid. Our dead can be buried but our wounded must be helped. Getting to Alan will not be easy. Through common friends we have reached him with a bit of money, some food and water. We have old camp tents that can be used and we will draw up plans to rebuild.
Hard to imagine someone I work with so closely losing so much. Pray for Alan and for his family and for the hard days ahead."
Anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation to the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund" can donate on-line at: http://www.hbint.org/donate/on-line-giving.php
Please send an e-mail to Info@HBInt.org indicating that you have made a donation towards the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund." Thank you for your continued support!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
An Update from Union Biblica del Peru
An update from our Peruvian partner organization Union Biblica del Peru (Image from REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil) -
"Dear friends,
Over 500 dead, approximately 253,000 people left homeless as 45,000 buildings and houses collapsed in last Wednesday's major Earthquake (8,0 magnitude. Duration: 2 full minutes). Construction is of large, heavy adobe mud brick high walls, so it has not been easy to remove the rubble to get out the bodies. 80% of Pisco (population 125,000) destroyed. 90% of businesses in Ica affected. Many of you have stayed in the Hotel Sol de Ica when you were here on a work team. Its two top floors - both front building overlooking the street and the one over the pool, crashed to the ground. Just yesterday they recovered 40 bodies from another hotel. And so it goes.
Linda went to Chincha with a van full of water in bottles. The people crushed against the windows begging. They were desperate. Heaps of rubble, no food, no sewage for the few who ever had it, but worst of all, no water to drink. I have been wondering how I’d react under similar stress. Looting is rife. Trucks and buses coming through are being assaulted. People who never imagined that they would act this way are joining in these things. Would I be one of them? Before I answer the question, I must realize that I have never been there. So people no longer feel safe, especially because the prison collapsed and over 600 inmates escaped. Most of them were there on charges of robbery. I just got a phone call from Abdon in Kawai asking for help in security for our boys in Casa Girasoles, as armed robbers are in the vicinity.
The Vine Trust of Scotland is sponsoring four soup kitchens, each for 100 children: One in Ica, One in Chincha and two in Pisco. We are once again immensely grateful for help from them and from others of you who are responding with prayer backing and money.
The world will soon forget. The international media will have other things to report. Even here, there will be instant solidarity, but it too will rapidly fade. The thousands of homeless will live their tragedy for a long time to come.
The good news is that like others, we too in Union Biblica are being helped by folk like you to do something about it:
- Construction at Kawai, save for fallen walls, has been suspended. The work team there will at their request, be deployed to the disaster area to help clear up rubble, assist in our feeding centers, etc.
- Water now flows from our well in Ica. Some is given away right there from the swimming pool. More is taken and being delivered by water trucks to more distant places in the desert.
- Our 30 tents have been given away and are now providing shelter for victims.
- Our Schools staff and Street Boy staff are joining forces in the 4 feeding centers.
- The Parish Church of Cupar Old and St. Michael of Tarvit in Scotland are building our home for street boys in Ica. This was to be completed by early 2009, but the Vine Trust has advanced the funds to be able to move ahead now in order to open the home in early 2008 with boys we come across through our Feeding Centers.
I'm not sure at this point how many of the 24 schools where we work in the area have fallen (all 5 in Pisco did), but all have been closed down, so Marco and his volunteers are free to work in our Emergency program, guaranteeing that all 400 children hear the Gospel. As Elaine Duncan of the Scottish Bible Society reminded us, others will join us in the relief area, but only Christians can share the Good News.
Once again, a big thank you to all who are helping at this crucial time. The earthquake lasted two minutes, but the great need will continue for some time to come.
Paul and Marty"
Please keep your prayers and good wishes flowing!
The Rebuilding Has Just Started
One week has now passed since the magnitude 8.0 (measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale) earthquake rattled the southern coast of Peru. As aid groups struggle to deliver food, blankets, and water to the areas hardest hit - the people of Pisco, Ica, Canete and Mala continued to be blasted by aftershocks (over 300 tremors have affected the area in the last week). The latest was a 4.7 magnitude aftershock that sparked panic among people lining up to leave the town of Pisco by air or by bus on Monday, the day the rescue effort officially ended and bulldozers began removing mountains of rubble.
It has been reported that Peruvians are paying as much as $40 (USD) for a one-way bus ticket out of Pisco - a fare that normally costs $7 (USD). Price gouging, corruption, gang related fear and rampant violence - these are the REAL issues that are acutely pressing on the Garcia Administration; an administration that is under fire for there reported unorganized approach to aid distribution. A spokeswoman for the World Food Program, Christiane Berthiaume, says it is difficult to get aid to the survivors because roads are bad, traffic is heavy and a major bridge leading to the quake-hit city of Pisco is damaged. Nevertheless, she says more food and other aid is getting in and being distributed.
President Garcia announced the start of fumigation operations across the town of Pisco to head off diseases before they turn into possible epidemics, and more than 1,000 police and soldiers were deployed to halt the looting that has sown fear among the battered population. It has been reported that plans are in the works to provide temporary lodgings for the mostly poor families whose rudimentary adobe and brick homes had come crashing down. Permanent relocation efforts are being developed - but who knows where the money will come from to house the estimated 180,000 homeless people.
On a separate note of hope and a pure show of Andean solidarity - the Taiwan Times noted that Bolivian President Evo Morales and his vice president pledged half their salaries to the earthquake victims, while Cabinet ministers gave one-quarter of their wages. In addition, an Israeli delegation of physicians and health care professionals are on their way to Peru to provide medical and technical assistance to the people affected by the quake. Finally, a team from the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) is sending 31 volunteer veterinarians and technicians to the country next week to treat Peruvians' wounded animal companions.
A generous outpouring of support and assistance has come from all around the globe. The true test of our commitment to help the people of Peru will be in 8-12 months when the aid agencies are long gone and the real work of community development is underway.
HBI's commitment is to build support for our in-country partners as they settle in for the "long haul" of community re-building and program development. You may make a donation to the work of HBI at http://www.hbint.org/ - all the funds will go to support the work of NGOs helping Peruvian citizens.
Thank you for your prayers and commitment to the people of Peru - the work of rebuilding has only just begun!
It has been reported that Peruvians are paying as much as $40 (USD) for a one-way bus ticket out of Pisco - a fare that normally costs $7 (USD). Price gouging, corruption, gang related fear and rampant violence - these are the REAL issues that are acutely pressing on the Garcia Administration; an administration that is under fire for there reported unorganized approach to aid distribution. A spokeswoman for the World Food Program, Christiane Berthiaume, says it is difficult to get aid to the survivors because roads are bad, traffic is heavy and a major bridge leading to the quake-hit city of Pisco is damaged. Nevertheless, she says more food and other aid is getting in and being distributed.
President Garcia announced the start of fumigation operations across the town of Pisco to head off diseases before they turn into possible epidemics, and more than 1,000 police and soldiers were deployed to halt the looting that has sown fear among the battered population. It has been reported that plans are in the works to provide temporary lodgings for the mostly poor families whose rudimentary adobe and brick homes had come crashing down. Permanent relocation efforts are being developed - but who knows where the money will come from to house the estimated 180,000 homeless people.
On a separate note of hope and a pure show of Andean solidarity - the Taiwan Times noted that Bolivian President Evo Morales and his vice president pledged half their salaries to the earthquake victims, while Cabinet ministers gave one-quarter of their wages. In addition, an Israeli delegation of physicians and health care professionals are on their way to Peru to provide medical and technical assistance to the people affected by the quake. Finally, a team from the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT) is sending 31 volunteer veterinarians and technicians to the country next week to treat Peruvians' wounded animal companions.
A generous outpouring of support and assistance has come from all around the globe. The true test of our commitment to help the people of Peru will be in 8-12 months when the aid agencies are long gone and the real work of community development is underway.
HBI's commitment is to build support for our in-country partners as they settle in for the "long haul" of community re-building and program development. You may make a donation to the work of HBI at http://www.hbint.org/ - all the funds will go to support the work of NGOs helping Peruvian citizens.
Thank you for your prayers and commitment to the people of Peru - the work of rebuilding has only just begun!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Request for Donations
HBI is working to provide relief to Peruvians adversely impacted by the recent earthquake.
HBI will make donations to other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to provide relief and assistance to communities hardest hit by this disaster. The actual expenditure of funds will be subject to the HBI Board's discretion - so that funds are dedicated to earthquake relief efforts and do not duplicate efforts by other NGOs.
In addition, HBI is seeking donations to help with long range community development through our partner organizations working in Ica, Canete, Pisco and Mala. The goal of HBI in this time of great need is to support the acute disaster response efforts of other NGOs and to help build future programs and projects through our in-country partners like Union Biblica del Peru, the Anglican Church of Peru, the Mission of Alto Cayma and the Peruvian NGO "Serviendo Logrando Paz."
Anyone interested in making a tax deductible donation to the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund" can donate on-line at: http://www.hbint.org/donate/on-line-giving.php
Please send an e-mail to Info@HBInt.org indicating that you have made a donation towards the HBI "Earthquake Relief Fund." Thank you for your continued support!
Looting, Hunger and Civil Unrest
(Photo: RICARDO MAZALAN/AP Wire Service)Few buildings still stand in the town of Pisco, one of the areas most strongly affected by Wednesdays earthquake. According to President Alan Garcia 80,000 people have lost loved ones, homes or both. Equally compelling is the loss of order that seems to be spreading throughout the region.
President Garcia predicted that "a situation approaching normality" would return in 10 days, but acknowledged that reconstruction would take far longer. In the interim, the Garcia administration is sending hundreds of reinforcement troops to the southern cites of Ica, Canete, Pisco and Chincha. As the days pass from the immediate impact of the mighty quake, people are desperate to get their basic needs met.
A lack of access to potable water (aid agencies report that nearly 80% of the people in the earthquake zone do not have access to clean water), food and shelter are creating a "mob like" mentality in the region. Add to this complex situation the fact that nearly 600 criminal offenders (authorities were still trying to trace the where about of some 600 criminal offenders - reportedly including rapists and murderers - who escaped from the Tambo de Mora prison in Chincha Alta during the earthquake) are on the streets of Chincha and the surrounding communities - and the situation is rather grime.
News agencies have been reporting broad spread looting and "gang" activity. People desperate for food and water are taking to the streets as the Peruvian government works to quell the spread of any potential epidemic diseases, bring basic necessities to the devastated areas, and restore hope to a battered people. The next few days will be very important for the Peruvian government - as the people of the quake zone will strongly look to Garcia and his cabinet to ensure order and deliver on his promises of creating "normality" in the region.
Meanwhile in the heart of all of the chaos, the search for survivors continues on many fronts. British experts in disaster response lead by Mr. Paul Wooster, coordinator of the Rapid UK rescue team, told the Toronto Star New Service that rescuers were using sound detectors and infrared cameras to search for survivors. The latest survivor discovered, a man, was pulled from the rubble at midday Friday. However, as time passes, the hope of finding more survivors becomes smaller and smaller.
Please help to keep hope alive by praying for the people of Peru.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Internatioanl Aid for Peru: Help is on the Way
(Photo taken from AP Wire Service)
A look at some of the international aid efforts currently reported for relief efforts in Peru following Wednesday's magnitude-8 earthquake:
After an extensive "donors conference" on Friday (attended by multi-national organizations and governments) - it should be noted that Peru has received 40 million dollars in international aid to help with relief efforts, the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) said Friday.
The amount includes 5 million dollars in funds and humanitarian aid received since the quake, and another 5 million dollars granted at a meeting of international donors on Friday in Lima and 30 million dollars offered by the United Nations, APCI President Agustin Haya de la Torre said.
After an extensive "donors conference" on Friday (attended by multi-national organizations and governments) - it should be noted that Peru has received 40 million dollars in international aid to help with relief efforts, the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) said Friday.
The amount includes 5 million dollars in funds and humanitarian aid received since the quake, and another 5 million dollars granted at a meeting of international donors on Friday in Lima and 30 million dollars offered by the United Nations, APCI President Agustin Haya de la Torre said.
International Red Cross: Sending two planeloads of tents, water, other supplies; giving $205,000 from emergency fund for victims.
United Nations: Officials say they have mobilized almost $30 million in aid from several U.N. agencies.
European Community: Announces at least $1.34 million contribution to international aid agencies for Peru.
Colombia: Flying in 20 tons of water, medicine, blankets and other aid, 20 rescue workers.
Brazil: Sending medicine, food and tents.
Chile: Sending medicine, food and tents.
Catholic Church (Caritas): Peru's Catholic Church is organizing humanitarian aid for thousands of victims by collecting donations of food, water and blankets and channeling financial assistance to the affected region.
United States: There are two USAID disaster response officials in Peru, and a third is en route to study what aid is needed, the State Department said. The Navy said it would be prepared to send the hospital ship Comfort, staffed with hundreds of doctors, if asked. In addition, the U.S. has released over $150K to be used for immediate relief.
Italy: Giving $268,100 to the Red Cross to help distribute emergency medical kits, tents and other aid to quake victims. U.N. World Food Program: Sending $500,000 of food already in country to quake victims and preparing other shipments.
Union Biblica del Peru: Union Biblica has taken on a humanitarian mission of their own; delivering tents, blankets, food and support to the areas hardest hit by the earthquake. To keep this project alive, Union Biblica needs monetary support. I urge anyone who can - to donate to the good work of Union Biblica.
Source: Associated Press and e-mail messages from friends in Peru
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