Earthquake in Peru - August 2007

An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 struck the coast of Peru on August 15, 2007. The epicenter was located approximately 60km south of the city of Pisco in the department of Ica. The quake caused the interruption of both power and telephone services in several cities, including the capital city of Lima. Buildings collapsed in the cities of Pisco and Cañete. More than 500 people died, thousands were left injured and tens of thousands were affected.

Situation Reports

Situation Report
21 August 2007

1. Summary of the general health situation and priorities

Preliminary damage assessment(*)

	Cañete	Chincha	Pisco	Ica	Other locations	Total
Deaths	7	99	338	73	2	519
Injured	172	516	100	957	99	1.844
Missing			49 (**)
Homes destroyed	7.339	29.867	11.707	31.133	4.823	84.869
Health facilities destroyed		4	1	4	5	14
Health facilities damaged	2	10			100	112

(*) According to Estimates from INDECI, 21 September 2007.
(**) Source: Public Ministry, Pisco.

Most Urgent Health Sector Priorities

Water supply and quality control
Improve basic sanitation and health conditions in all shelters(formal and improvised), and in formally established shelters, improve the provision of basic services, safe drinking water, solid waste management and psychosocial support.
Continue to carry out assessments of the health services network, particularly in Pisco, and make recommendations for recovery.
Continue with epidemiological surveillance disease prevention activities.
Optimize the efficient organization and accelerate the distribution of humanitarian aid by using the LSS/SUMA system.

Related Information

Slide show from the emergency

Links

Press Releases

PAHO/WHO 20 August

Related Publications

Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters

Humanitarian Supply Management and Logistics in the Health Sector

WHO-PAHO Guidelines for the Use of Foreign Field Hospitals in the Aftermath of Sudden-Impact Disasters

Virtual Health Library for Disasters

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