IOM is this week distributing tents and relief supplies, including
mattresses, blankets, sheets and kitchen sets to victims of the
earthquake that struck the Department of Ica on 15 August.

The initial emergency shelter plan called for the creation of
camps with provisional shelters for those left homeless, but after
further assessment, the Government of Peru decided that no
additional shelters will be set up and has begun the reconstruction
process in the cities of Pisco, Ica and Chinca.

The government's decision to provide assistance to the victims
in their towns and villages was based on the reluctance shown by
most victims to abandon their homes.  Those who did not take
refuge in the camps that were initially created, will set up the
tents provided by IOM on their land so that they can watch over
their belongings and begin rebuilding their homes.

IOM will continue to purchase tents and other emergency relief
items that will be delivered to the families registered by
Peru's Civil Defence Institute (INDECI by its Spanish acronym).

Peru's Prime Minister, Jorge del Castillo, publicly thanked IOM
and United Nations (UN) agencies for the assistance and the good
quality of the material distributed thus far, and added, "This
assistance will help the victims live through the reconstruction
process."

A first shipment of 5,000 IOM-purchased tents arrived at Pisco
airport over the weekend.  A second shipment of 3,000 tents
and 22,500 mattresses are scheduled to arrive in Pisco in the
coming days.

An IOM team of 20 staff were deployed to Pisco where they are
working with INDECI officials and the local authorities, and will
remain in the area throughout the reconstruction process.

IOM began purchasing emergency relief supplies immediately
following the approval of USD 4,419,000 million from the UN's
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for IOM to carry out its
emergency work in Peru. 

As a lead agency in shelter and camp management IOM is working
with INDECI, the Ministries of Health, Water and Sanitation,
Labour, and Women and Social Development, as well as with the local
government.

Peru's National Institute of Civil Defence reports that 519
people lost their lives and 1,366 were injured; 60,519 houses were
destroyed and more than 14,000 were damaged.  Fourteen
hospitals were completely destroyed and 103 were damaged.

For more information, please contact:

Oscar Sandoval

IOM Lima

Tel: +51.1.221.7209

E-mail: "mailto:osandoval@iom.int">osandoval@iom.int