“Where there’s need – there’s The Salvation Army”

Earthquake response Peru: 2007

On the 15th August 2007,

an earthquake of 7.9
magnitude struck 160kms
off the coast of Peru
Earthquake response Peru: 2007
The following day an
aftershock with a
magnitude of 6.2
struck inland.
When the official
statistics were
gathered it was
learned that
• 514 people lost their
lives
• 1,090 were injured
• 40,035 families were
left homeless
Earthquake response Peru: 2007

The impact destroyed homes

and buildings in the cities of
Pisco, Ica, & Chincha
Earthquake response Peru: 2007
The nearest SA centres were
3 hours away, but on the
evening of the initial quake
feeding stations were
established and families
given blankets
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

With the Divisional

Commanders on leave, the
initial response was led by
Major Betze, who was herself
on compassionate leave
having been widowed just
one week ealier.
Earthquake response Peru: 2007

With local services in

chaos, SA relief team
members were asked to
help with collection of
bodies and preparation for
identification
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

3,
sh 16
el 0
te pe
re op
d
an le
d
fe
d

Camps, such as this one in a

sports stadium, were set up
for those unable to remain in
homes.
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

The Lions Club (of Sweden) donated

good quality tents – and this camp was
set up at San Clemente for 60 families
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007
The Salvation Army supplied
the equipment and the
ingredients.
Women from the community
took responsibility for
preparing the food

A number of community
kitchens were established
across the area by TSA
Earthquake response Peru: 2007

In this small village of El Olivio,

365 out of 366 homes were
destroyed – only 1 remained
intact!
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

TOTAL DESTRUCTION
Even the fragile remains
of the local Catholic
church became a symbol
of the total destruction of
this small community.
Earthquake response Peru: 2007

In Ica this structure was

made from plastic meshing
and wooden poles. It housed
the communal kitchen and
food distribution centre
Earthquake response Peru: 2007

In addition, groups from corps in Lima

took turns to lead worship, Sunday
school and Home League meetings
Earthquake response Peru: 2007

In Lima, once families

were able to clear the
rubble from their plots,
100 x temporary wooden
shelters were erected on
family land to help them
leave the camps and
return to their own
neighbourhoods.
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

Families are very grateful – but

they are little more than a garden
shed – and certainly not permanent
structures.
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007
t he al
e m
i ll b f or ct
w st je
I t i r
f pr o
’ s
r i ct ding
st il
di ebu
r

6 months after the quake,

the Mayor of San Clemente
has offered this plot to The
Salvation Army so we can
build 100 homes and a SA
community centre
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007
St
m ro
ea ng
n fo
a un
be 2 n d da
ad sto tio
de re ns
d y
la ca
te n
r

Each earthquake
resistant, single
storey house, with
3 bedrooms,
bathroom and
living area will be
built for around
£3,500
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

Latest statistics
•Adult attendance at Sunday
worship – 45
•Children and youth at Sunday
worship – 30
•Soldiers sworn in – 20
•Junior soldiers enrolled – 11
•Recruits for soldiership – 11
Other weekly activities:
•Home League
•Junior Soldiers class
•Sunday school
•Discipleship meeting But spiritual foundations are
•Prayer meeting also being laid and great
things are happening in the
‘tent’ at Ica!
 Earthquake response Peru: 2007

Major Alex Nesterenko

and his team members
are working hard but
there is much work to
do.

Your support for The Salvation Army’s

Peru Earthquake fund is greatly appreciated.
“Where there’s need – there’s The Salvation Army”