A devastating earthquake struck Peru on the evening of August 15, 2007. Initial estimates are that the official death toll is 510, 1,150 are injured, and 80,000 have been left homeless. Rich Ferguson, one of our missionaries in Peru reports that 11 Assemblies of God churches were completely destroyed or damaged beyond repair, and 9 pastors’ homes were completely destroyed. Two AG members are confirmed dead.
Four cities were greatly affected by the quake: Pisco–70% is destroyed (population 110,000), Ica–40% of is destroyed (population 260,000), Chincha–30% is destroyed (population 160,000) and Cañete–30% is destroyed (population 160,000).
News has been limited because the roads to the affected area are all out and news crews can not even get back where the devastation is.
The desperate needs are water, non perishable food, blankets, warm clothes, tents, medicine (pain relief and antibiotics), generators, batteries, flashlights.
The Panamerican Highway that runs south of Lima is severely damaged as well, making the relief aid more difficult. Many bridges have collapsed and there are multiple places where the road has been damaged. Several areas were also affected by landslides. A trip that normally takes 2 hours is taking longer than 8, and trucks have been looted on their way.
It appears the damage from this earthquake will not be as extensive as what happened in El Salvador a few years ago, but Dick Nicholson urgently needs $50,000 immediately. We have already disbursed today $25,000 of relief funds as an advance against funds we trust churches will send in for this relief effort. In addition to the $50,000 that is needed immediately, Dick Nicholson estimates that we will need at least another $200,000 in the coming weeks.
Convoy of Hope, through an ongoing partnership with FedEx, is transporting relief supplies to Miami. Then the Peruvian Air Force is airlifting the supplies to the affected areas. In the coming days, Convoy of Hope will work with our missionaries and national churches to distribute supplies donated by wholesalers and grocers, which allows us to multiply the impact of each dollar about five times.
In a disaster such as this, the missionaries and national churches need cash fast, which is what AG World Missions needs to supply.
There is a special fund for this relief effort. Donations may be sent to AG World Missions designated for “AG Relief Peru Earthquake 8911679 (42).”
Prayer is also needed for our missionaries and national churches in Peru who are involved in this tragedy, especially for the churches in the four cities that have been greatly damaged. Also pray that our Assemblies of God churches will be able to reach out to non-believers with the love, compassion, and message of Christ.
