THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
SITUATION REPORT: PERU EARTHQUAKE
June 25, 2001


SITUATION:

A June 23 earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale has killed at
least 52 people in southern Peru. Some 544 people are wounded and dozens
are missing.

The earthquake was centered in and around Peru's second largest city,
Arequipa, where most of the damage occurred. The quake flattened entire
towns, the BBC reported, particularly rural areas where houses were made
of adobe mud brick.

Eighty percent of the housing in the city of Moquegua was reported to be
seriously damaged and uninhabitable. In Arequipa an undetermined number of
houses were left without roofs or walls. The city's principle historic
monuments, including the Arequipa cathedral, have also been seriously
damaged, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
reported. In the city of Tacna, around 1,000 houses were destroyed.

The earthquake could be felt as far away as Chile and Bolivia and more
than 100 aftershocks have been reported.

Fatality figures have varied from the 50s to more than 70. More than
20,000 people have been left homeless and without shelter. Adding to the
difficulty for the homeless are nighttime sub-zero temperatures.

The Peruvian government has mounted a rescue operation to find survivors,
particularly in rural areas accessible only by helicopter. Water,
electricity, and telephone services have been interrupted. Assessments are
continuing.


RESPONSE:

PREDES (Center for the Studies of Prevention of Disasters), a long-time
CWS partner in Peru, has dispatched emergency teams to the affected areas
and is conducting assessments. Initial reports indicate damage is serious
and extensive in the highlands and rural areas. CWS is in contact with
PREDES about possible needs.

Other CWS partners in the region are on alert and ready to mobilize their
emergency teams to support PREDES and other members of the Action by
Churches Together (ACT) International network. ACT is sending a rapid
response payment of $20,000 to PREDES.

Call the CWS HOTLINE for updates: (800) 297-1516.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is
responding, contact CWS Emergency Response:

   Telephone: (212) 870-3151
   E-mail: cherlinger@ncccusa.org
   After-hours emergency pager: (800) 780-0853
   Web site: www.cwserp.org


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