Six Months Later: Direct Relief Surveys Continuing Need for Aid in Peru, Prepares to Provide Further Support

Months after the August 15 earthquake that killed over 500 and destroyed more than 40,000 homes, Direct Relief International's Dan Smith returned to the devastated area in January and found a continuing great need for aid. "The flow of international aid to the area has basically ceased," he said. "Local clinics and hospitals have to rely on government supplies, which typically fluctuate."

Smith was in Peru to evaluate the distribution of already-donated Direct Relief product (more than $200,000 in medical supplies), the application of Direct Relief-collected funds, and to learn what new needs had arisen.

Assessing the situation, Smith found that remaining medical needs included basic antibiotics, dermatological agents, nutritional supplements, heart medicines (especially anti-hypertensives), diabetes supplies, hospital equipment, and TB and AIDS medicines, diseases which critically effect those living in the earthquake-affected zone.

"All Direct Relief-donated products have been distributed by our local partners, the Archdiocese of Lima, and Caritas, through their support network which includes church health posts, emergency shelters, and Ministry of Health facilities." Smith continued. He found many shelters were still operating, and although most structures were cleared of rubble, there was still accumulated debris from the earthquake which had not yet been removed from many streets and public areas. It appeared that the general physical condition of the affected areas has not changed substantially in the months since the quake. However, local residents reported that employment levels have improved somewhat, and that many schools have re-opened.

"Daily life seems to have re-established itself on a different, yet lower, level of subsistence than from before the earthquake, and much still remains to be done by both government and non-government relief agencies," Smith observed.

Smith went on to visit the Cincha district, one of the areas most affected by the August 15th quake. He found that two of the three local public hospitals were still severely damaged by the quake, leaving the third, the San Jose de Cincha Hospital, to serve almost 400,000 people, double that hospital's normal capacity. The hospital, which used to see an average of 120 patients a day, is now seeing approximately 200 per day, many unable to pay. San Jose de Cincha's $25,000 monthly operating budget remains the same, despite additional financing and staffing burdens.

On Smith’s previous visit, the hospital had specifically requested one baby incubator, one baby heat light, one patient monitor and one pulse oximeter. Direct Relief awarded a cash grant to the San Jose de Cincha hospital to procure these items locally - and Smith found the items purchased and in place on his return visit. In addition, he was able to facilitate the release of a full container of medical equipment and supplies worth $222,824.60 from customs at Lima airport for the hospital.

Approximately 30,000 people live in the San Clemente district, another area affected by the earthquake. The area was served by a single government physician in the local public health clinic. After the earthquake, thousands of displaced people streamed into the area from surrounding severely affected towns and the highland areas. The only other local health facility was for salaried employees, a tiny fraction of people who needed help.

In answer to this need, a new clinic, established in a local Catholic church and called the RMF (Real Medical Foundation or 'Policlinico Peruano Americano') Clinic was established on November 12.  Smith visited to see if Direct Relief could help.

He found that the RMF clinic now operates out of a converted house in San Clemente (funding for the rental of the site came in part from a cash grant from Merck). The clinic sees about 50 patients per day, and is staffed by two physicians, two nurses, and one lab technician who doubles as the pharmacy supervisor. Currently, RMF purchases most needed medicines and supplies from local sources. All staff are local Peruvians.

The facility has two patient exam rooms, a small pharmacy and a laboratory. RMF has extensive relations with the University of California, Los Angeles and is already involved with physicians there to provide extensive in-service education to local health providers, particularly as related to AIDS and infectious diseases. Community outreach and health education is a priority for the RMF clinic, and they have already established a health post inside the local elementary school which provides health screenings and preventive health and sanitation talks and demonstrations to the 3,600 school children there.

"The new RMF clinic appears to be off to an excellent start and has apparently integrated well with the existing community and with the government health care network." Smith concluded.

Third Emergency Shipment of $1.1 Million in Supplies Headed to Peru

Direct Relief is preparing a third emergency shipment of specifically requested emergency aid to help those affected by the August 2007 earthquake in  Peru . The aid, valued at $1.1 million (wholesale), includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, intravenous solutions, as well as protective facial masks.

The health situation in earthquake-affected Peru continues to evolve, and assistance is still greatly needed by responders. Direct Relief Senior Program Officer Dan Smith, who has been in Peru since September 13, shares his observations about the current situation and the needs of the community:

Saturday I drove to the city of Pisco with Walter Munoz, Direct Relief's contact at the Catholic Archdiocese of Lima. Walter was quick to point out that even though much progress has been made in some areas (rubble pushed to collection areas, improved delivery of relief supplies and food, and some temporary shelters in place) aid has been slow to arrive to some areas. We were told that the town of Tambo de Mora, located a few kilometers away, was basically leveled and that no aid at all has yet arrived.

For example, we stopped by the town of Grocio Prado, near Chincha and a short half mile or less off the main road. (The main road is mostly repaired except for a bridge in San Clemente that is still out of service). Gorcio Prado looked as it must have right after the quake; the structures were full of untouched debris and litter was everywhere. We were told by a representative from the local church responsible for distribution of aid that they only were able to open their doors twice per week, with resulting long lines, as they simply had so little to offer. She also said that most people were still without even temporary shelter and soup kitchens ("ollas communes") were prevalent.

According to a doctor from the Ministry of Health, the most common health problems are upper respiratory infections, gastrointestinal disorders, eye infections and irritations, and exposure-related skin conditions. We saw only a few temporary shelters (either tents or pre-fab plywood shacks from the government) on our drive and walk through Grocio Prado. The Archbishop has made temporary shelter a priority area for its work.

In Pisco, there was extensive damage to commercial buildings and homes. The government has a work program that pays people about $10 a day to remove rubble and do other relief work, so much of the rubble that can be moved by wheelbarrow has been piled next to the main roads. The overwhelming feeling of the people there is that the debris needs to be cleared away so that they can begin to put their lives back together again and the reconstruction effort can begin in earnest.

There were lots of women and children to be seen, walking around or sitting idle in the plaza, but most men of working age seem to be back at work. According to the local newspaper, only two of the area's forty schools are open.

We saw more temporary shelters in Pisco than anywhere else, although, given the magnitude of the damage, I would have expected many more. I can only imagine how uncomfortable the nights must be for those families living outside their homes, sometimes out in the open, with the cold and damp air approaching freezing. The blankets and personal care items that Direct Relief is providing as part of our 35-pallet shipment will be very much appreciated by these beleaguered people and may provide a small degree of comfort and hope for them.

FedEx Donates Second Emergency Airlift for 16-Ton Humanitarian Delivery Friday

Direct Relief’s emergency response to the Peru quake continues with a second emergency air shipment of 16 tons of humanitarian aid.  FedEx is again donating transportation to Direct Relief, along with Peruvian carrier Cielos de Peru, in response to the tragic August 15 earthquake in Peru that has killed at least 513 people.

The materials include an emergency supply of first aid materials provided by Johnson & Johnson, as well as personal care products, sutures, iodine tablets for water purification, and nebulizers with albuterol medication for asthmatics and people with other breathing difficulties.

The contents were specifically requested by Direct Relief’s Peruvian partners and will be consigned to the Archdiocese of Lima, which has launched extensive relief efforts in response to the quake and also is attempting to assist people who are suffering from the severe cold snap in the interior mountain regions.  The Friday shipment also contains 4000 wool blankets for the many displaced residing in parks and shelters.

In addition to providing needed physical comfort, the blankets and personal hygiene products can help prevent exposure-related health problems and other illnesses that arise in temporary shelter situations with limited sanitation.

Reports from Direct Relief’s partners indicate that transportation and distribution logistics continue to present problems for the relief efforts. The Archdiocese, that has a warehouse independent from the Ministry of Health and other central government staging areas, is less affected by these issues. The Archbishop’s office continues to coordinate efforts with the Peruvian Armed Forces, the Civil Defense, and the Ministry of Health.

Friday’s $126,000 shipment (wholesale value) follows the initial emergency shipment furnished last week containing more than $92,000 of material.  We anticipate providing an additional material aid being furnished next week as needs lists are refined from on-the-ground assessments.

Direct Relief is tentatively planning another shipment of aid next week which will contain further medicines and personal care items for the shelters. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have furnished cash and in-kind support to assist people in Peru.  We will use any such restricted donations only for Peru without any deduction for administrative expenses.  As noted earlier, a generous bequest received last year now pays all Direct Relief’s fundraising and administrative overhead expenses.

Special thanks to the following companies which have donated their products for the humanitarian effort:

• Abbott
• BD
• Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Carlsbad Technology, Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies
• Marlex Pharmaceuticals
• Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
• McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
• Midmark Corporation
• Miltex, Inc.
• Mylan Laboratories, Inc.
• OHM Laboratories, Inc.
• Sage Products, Inc.
• sanofi-aventis
• Schering-Plough Corporation
• Watson Pharmaceuticals
• Wisconsin Pharmacal Company LLC

Those interested in making a cash donation may visit  Direct Relief’s donation page  and select “Peru Earthquake” as the designation.

Additional Aid Set for Peru in Aftermath of Quake

Direct Relief’s shipment last week of 32 cartons of aid worth $97,638 (wholesale), transported free of charge by FedEx, is set to arrive in Lima, Peru on Wednesday, August 22nd.

The shipment includes a supply of antibiotics, which have been among the most-needed medicines, as well as other medical supplies. The cold weather, poor sanitary conditions, and dust from damaged buildings have increased the likelihood of upper respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, which antibiotics are effective at treating.

A truckload of Direct Relief medical aid to the Archdiocese of Lima has left Lima for Chincha, which, located some 20 miles from the epicenter, is one of the cities most affected by the quake. Staff members from the Archdiocese are in the process of distributing the material to those in need.

According to Direct Relief’s network of in-country partners, the greatest needs at this time include logistical support for the aid coming into the country, tents, and blankets for displaced people. An additional shipment leaving this week will include significant amounts of blankets, as well as personal care supplies like soaps and shampoos. FedEx has again donated their services, providing Direct Relief free palletized air freight to Peru.

The Pan American Health Organization advises that the often-reported threat of disease from decomposing bodies is largely inaccurate.  Click here to see the article.

There continues to be considerable seismic activity in Peru. The country’s Geophysics Institute has detected more than 430 aftershocks, some as large as 5.9 in magnitude. Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey say that aftershocks from the quake could extend for weeks, even months.

Direct Relief would sincerely like to thank all donors to the Peru relief effort, especially the following corporate donors for making their materials available for the relief effort:

• Abbott
• BD
• Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Carlsbad Technology, Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies
• Marlex Pharmaceuticals
• Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
• McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
• Midmark Corporation
• Miltex, Inc.
• Mylan Laboratories, Inc.
• OHM Laboratories, Inc.
• Sage Products, Inc.
• sanofi-aventis
• Schering-Plough Corporation
• Watson Pharmaceuticals
• Wisconsin Pharmacal Company LLC

As previously stated, any funds designated for the quake relief effort will be restricted for use only in response to the Peru earthquake. Those interested in making a cash donation may visit Direct Relief’s donation page and select “Peru Earthquake” as the designation.

Peruvian Government Expedites Direct Relief Humanitarian Assistance

In an emergency meeting today at Direct Relief’s warehouse headquarters, Peruvian Vice Consul Aelín Perez and Dr. Ralph Kuon, president of the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS), planned for expedited humanitarian assistance in response to Wednesday’s massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake.

Perez surveyed Direct Relief’s operations, met with the team handling the emergency response, and authorized on behalf of the Peruvian government immediate clearance of Direct Relief’s humanitarian aid.

CEO Thomas Tighe extended his deepest sympathies to Perez for the tragic loss of life caused by the earthquake and pledged Direct Relief’s full and ongoing support to help care for victims in response to the tragedy.

Dr. Kuon, whose organization conducts extensive humanitarian health efforts in Peru, is providing invaluable information from the network of Peruvian health officials and is supporting in-country logistics to ensure essential material is reaching responders immediately.

As the health needs of victims continue to be identified, Direct Relief is making arrangements to airlift additional medical and personal care supplies.  FedEx, which provided at no charge the initial airlift yesterday, has offered its continued logistics and transport support to Direct Relief’s response.

Program Officer Dan Smith, whose wife and daughter are in Peru, is coordinating Direct Relief’s response.  Smith has worked closely with the office of the Archdiocese of Lima for over five years on various humanitarian health projects and is in close communication with the Peruvian national civil defense coordinating agency, PAMS, and other Peruvian organizations involved in the relief effort.

Direct Relief’s first emergency airlift, completed less than 20 hours after the quake, included medical and first aid items specifically requested by Peruvian authorities.

Yesterday, Direct Relief committed $100,000 of its own resources to the quake relief effort, regardless of whether any contributions are received.  Any additional funds that are received for the quake will be restricted for use only in response to the Peru earthquake.

In light of the significant attention to this emergency, we wish to clarify that any funds received for the Peru quake will be used exclusively for this purpose without any expense charged to administration or fundraising.  Direct Relief pays all such overhead expenses with its own funds, thanks to a generous bequest received last year.

Direct Relief would sincerely like to thank the following corporate donors for making their materials available for the relief effort:

• Abbott
• BD
• Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Carlsbad Technology, Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies
• Marlex Pharmaceuticals
• Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
• McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
• Midmark Corporation
• Miltex, Inc.
• Mylan Laboratories, Inc.
• OHM Laboratories, Inc.
• Sage Products, Inc.
• sanofi-aventis
• Schering-Plough Corporation
• Watson Pharmaceuticals
• Wisconsin Pharmacal Company LLC

Direct Relief is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant communication with its in-country partner network.  As the relief effort evolves, additional shipments will be air freighted as required.

Direct Relief Sending Resources to Aid Victims of Peru Earthquake

Direct Relief sent a 32-carton shipment of medical aid today, weighing 1,291 pounds with a wholesale value of $97,638, thanks to a generous donation of services from FedEx.

The shipment was sent to one of our long-standing partners in Peru, the Archdiocese of Lima. A partner with Direct Relief for eight years, the Archdiocese operates two clinics located within the poorest sections of Lima, Peru's sprawling capital city, and one located outside the city.

The donation consisted of specifically requested items, primarily antibiotics, to be delivered to the Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (INDECI), the primary coordinating agency for the government’s relief effort. The Archdiocese’s office is working to coordinate relief efforts with INDECI.

Other items in the shipment included first aid materials (gauze, first aid tape, bandages, etc.), antibiotic creams, analgesics, IV solutions and accessories, and oral rehydration salts.

Direct Relief would sincerely like to thank the following corporate donors for making their materials available for the relief effort:

• Abbott
• BD
• Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
• Carlsbad Technology, Inc.
• Johnson & Johnson
• Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies
• Marlex Pharmaceuticals
• Matrixx Initiatives, Inc.
• McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
• Midmark Corporation
• Miltex, Inc.
• Mylan Laboratories, Inc.
• OHM Laboratories, Inc.
• Sage Products, Inc.
• sanofi-aventis
• Schering-Plough Corporation
• Watson Pharmaceuticals
• Wisconsin Pharmacal Company LLC

Direct Relief is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant communication with its in-country partner network.  As the relief effort evolves, additional shipments will be air freighted as required.