Peruvian Earthquake Relief

[samburusunset]

As most of you know, Peru was struck by a catastrophic 8.0 earthquake the other day. Peru is the home of our SC.net family member Jose.

I am planning on contributing to the relief efforts to help the people and nation of Peru. I thought I'd share the names of some of the relief organizations I've come across.

Lutheran World Relief lwr.org
Catholic Relief Services crs.org
International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Worldvision.org
directrelief.org

Amy

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Was just reading an article about Ica, where I was running around about ten days ago. Sure hope its lovely oasis is O.K.

I've heard some negative things about the Red Cross from family members stuck in Katrina, so I may pick one of the other charities. Was just appalled to see that USAID is only offering $100,000 initially to the Peruvian government...here's hoping a bill makes it through Congress chop chop to offer some real help to these folks.

[AZPEARTPORTNOY]

MR. JOHNDROE: Good morning. The President had his normal briefings this morning. In addition to his intelligence briefing, he was also briefed on the earthquake in Peru. The President and Mrs. Bush offer their condolences to the people of Peru, and especially to those who have lost a loved one because of this natural disaster.

The United States stands ready to assist Peru, and is willing to provide assistance based on the needs identified by the government of Peru, as well as United States government teams there.

There is currently a USAID team on the ground now in Lima, assessing the situation and working in conjunction with the government of Peru. And we also have search and rescue teams on standby should they be needed. We'll update you on that later on.



I agree Dive but it looks like were waiting on them to tell us what kind of help they want. Really the best person to tell us what's happening is Jose. To all please note: I AM NOT MAKING THIS POLITICAL. I'm just offering up some info.

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]
I've heard some negative things about the Red Cross from family members stuck in Katrina, so I may pick one of the other charities.
[/quote]


Money-wise, of course choose as you see best. The Red Cross has its problems -- NO denying that. BUT as an aside as someone who is not attached to the RC in any way, I hope no one minds me saying that

Blood-wise, please don't let the organization's problems stop you from donating blood. (In a lot of areas, because of limiited facilitiies, the only way one can donate blood is through the Red Cross.) Money is problematic as it can be hoarded and end up in the wrong/different hands for the wrong/different purpose than intended. But blood has a limited shelf-life and a very limited purpose and is always in short supply. It can't end up in a slush fund and rarely gets used as a political tool.

Again, not denying the RC problems in the slightest. But if folks are comfortable giving blood, please give it freely to whomever will take it; it can mean a lot to another person, and all it will cost you is time.

(And yes, I'm aware that that last sentence sounded like an advert. Shut up.)

Thanks for letting me throw that in.


Thanks for the links, SS.

[georgygirl]

Sad experience.



I read that Mexico already send help on an airplane and a cruise.



I'm next to you José...

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Naw, I think you're most likely right, Portnoy, and that the U.S. will eventually commit a lot more money. I called up my Congressman yesterday to remind his office about it, anyway (USAID is often the initial responder, but the big bucks would probably have to be approved through an appropriations bill in Congress).

I noticed quite a few disaster relief charities online this morning. I'll probably chuck some cash toward Oxfam...

http://tinyurl.com/3bn494

[AZPEARTPORTNOY]

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]Naw, I think you're most likely right, Portnoy, and that the U.S. will eventually commit a lot more money. I called up my Congressman yesterday to remind his office about it, anyway (USAID is often the initial responder, but the big bucks would probably have to be approved through an appropriations bill in Congress).

I noticed quite a few disaster relief charities online this morning. I'll probably chuck some cash toward Oxfam...

http://tinyurl.com/3bn494[/quote]


You really back your words with action Dive, more of us should be like that. Nice.

Thanks for the link.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Hey, thanks for the compliment, AZ. Whatcha been up to lately?

[Jose]

[quote="Divemistress of the Dark"]Was just reading an article about Ica, where I was running around about ten days ago. Sure hope its lovely oasis is O.K.

I've heard some negative things about the Red Cross from family members stuck in Katrina, so I may pick one of the other charities. Was just appalled to see that USAID is only offering $100,000 initially to the Peruvian government...here's hoping a bill makes it through Congress chop chop to offer some real help to these folks.[/quote]

Hi Jean!

Yeah I know you like "Ica" and Pisco ("Pisco Sour" too ;)) well I tell you bad news that the center of the peruvian Earthquacke born or started at the sea in front of "Pisco", so downtown "Pisco" are totatally devastated, the 60% of houses (or perhaps more) were fall down, ( is like the II world war finished in Berlin) around 150 people died in the main chrch of Pisco, they prefered stayed into this ancient building - made from a mixing of earth bricks and straw - and praying, while the ceiling of the church fall down...it's a miracle that the priest of this church was rescued without any hurt... well situation on "Ica" ( Pisco, Paracas, Chincha and Cañete and lot of little poorest towns) are dramatic...

You know what is Lima, and the difference between downtown Lima and Miraflores... Where I live in a similar but more residential district than Miraflores, so I am totally safe... the situation was dramatic with the poorest and in the area of "Ica" (department -state) and "Huancavelica" (in the highlands), so I am only knew this situation the day after and two days after... dieds increased from 5 to 335, then to 450 and NOW 496 people died!!!... some deads corps were on the main square of "Pisco" to be recognized by their relatives...

What People from "Ica" and "Huancavelica" needs?

The main "Water" (bottles of water), then "Food-not perecible- I mean in cans, rice, beans, pasta., other "Tent's" for living or passing night, then "lights" (perhaps tent's campaign lights or candles), gas cooker, clothes specially for babies, kids and elderly people, baby nappies, food for babies, medicines... lot of things... essential for living... hopefully some goverments from USA, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Spain, Chile, and Brasil brought great important aid about those items by air or by sea, but if you imagine all of these aren't enough... besides, peruvians from Lima and other provinces or states brought their help on all of those items, but as you imagine all aren't enough...

an example if you visited "paracas" existed a natural beauty bridge, well these natural rock bridge dissapeared, the tourist hotel of Paracas was destroyed by waves and earthquake, lot of nice luxury beach houses in Paracas too...

I found in "El Comercio" http://www.elcomercio.com.pe (the most serious Newspaper of Peru) some organizations that received donations, so I chose the ones I think are the most important, but I think what you posted here are also seriuos ones, so depends on you if you like to help.. I am not in the way to recommend you the best, all depends on your own decission... So that's the list with their links and the link of where I found it:

Well here is a list of organizations or banks who recibe donations for the victims of the Earthquacke in Peru:

- In USA: Interbank (Dollars: 200-0000001118 ) trough the following agences: Xoom, Bancomercio, Uno, Dolex, BTS, Viamericas, Ria, Transfast, Pronto Envíos, Vigo, Bob Travel, Girosol, MFIC, Intertransfers y Mateo Express. Interbank informed those agencies don't requsted any comission or taxes. For more info call free: 1-866-352-7378.

- In Canadá, "Defensa Civil"( peruvian govermental organization in case of disasters) inform existing an account at the consullar general office of Peru in Toronto, "Sismo Perú 2007" Account, # 06702 113 - 4329 from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

- For the rest of the world: - "Cáritas" from Spain ( Catholic Aid Organization) http://www.caritas.es/colaborar/caritas/

Originally published at:
http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononl ... 19688.html

Hope you will find the most appropiate link ... I think "Care" will have an account for donations to Earthquacke Peruvian victims...visit "Care-Peru":
http://www.care.org.pe/

Hope all these satisfied your requests for aids in funds, food, clothes and blood.

http://www.elcomercio.com.pe/ediciononl ... index.html

[samburusunset]

"One World" indeed, Jose. Thanks for the update and the information.
Hang on and stay safe.

[nancyrose]

Thanks all for providing this information. I'm sure every little bit that can be contributed will be needed in the months ahead.