Saturday, August 25, 2007

Click here for resources on how and where to send aid in response to the August 15 earthquake.

NUMBERS: The numbers have started coming in mainly related to the earthquake.
  • US$220 Million: Luis Carranza, the Peruvian Minister of the Economy and Finances said the "preliminary figure" of US$220 million(€162 million) "is an estimate of the cost of new housing, energy, transportation, education and health care infrastructure," according to the Associated Press. Note: The article ends with this: "Lima's Chamber of Commerce estimated reconstruction costs at close to $400 million."
  • US$38 Million: Jorge del Castillo, the Peruvian Prime Minister, reports that "US$38 million have been donated by countries around the world," according to Living in Peru.
  • US$37 Million: The United Nations provided a broad review and anticipated next steps in a press release which followed an interview yesterday with Margareta Wahlström, the United Nation's Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator who announced the start an appeal seeking an additional $37 million for ongoing work in Peru.
  • 39,741 Homes: Separately, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released their 'Earthquake OCHA Situation Report No. 10' which notes that 39,741 homes have been destroyed as a result of the earthquake. Other preliminary damage assessments by Peru's National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) through August 23 include:
Deaths already officially certified
514
Injured
1,090
Houses destroyed*
39,741
Houses affected
12,781
Hospitals destroyed*
52
Hospitals affected
43

(*according to Peruvian Government preliminary assessments)

(Earlier, the Pan American Health Organization released a new Health Situation Report.)

An editorial note: Several readers have asked about the ordering of the articles listed below. Peruvia tends to prioritize newspapers and magazines near the top of each section, followed by other news items alphabetized by source. When possible, the name of the journalist is also included.

GENERAL QUAKE UPDATES:
  • 'Quake Orphan Reflects Peru's Loss, and Anger' (New York Times, Alexei Barrionuevo)
  • 'Peru Drops 'Pisco 7.9' Name for Quake Commemorating Drink' (Agence France-Press)
  • 'Helping the Pets Left Homeless by the Peru Earthquake' (Andean Currents, C.J. Schexnayder)
  • 'Post Quake Work to Cost Peru $220 Million' (Associated Press)
  • 'Peru Quake Clean Up Commences; Aid Efforts Pick up Pace' (Christian Today, Eric Young)
  • 'Peru's Ica Region Farming, Textiles Mainly Spared By Quake' (Dow Jones, Rebecca Howard)
  • 'Peru's Telefonica Apologizes, Defends Phone Service After Quake' (Dow Jones)
  • 'Bolivia Morales at Peru Quake Site' (Prensa Libre, Cuba)
  • 'New Zealand Experts to Study Impact of Peru Quake' (Radio New Zealand)
  • 'UN Steps up Assistance for Peruvian Quake Victims' (United Nations)
  • 'Peru Quake Assistance Starting to Focus on Reconstruction' (Voice of America, Lisa Schlein)
RELIEF & RESPONSE:
MICRO/MACRO ECONOMICS:
  • 'Peru's Economy Will Expand 7.2% This Year, Carranza Says' (Bloomberg, Alex Emery)
  • 'Peru's Finance Minister Carranza Sees 7.2% 2007 GDP Growth' (Dow Jones)
  • 'Ositran set to launch Muelle Sur supervision tender' (BNAmericas)
  • 'How Free Trade Boosts Illinois' (Chicago Tribune) editorial that includes Peru
ON IMMIGRATION:
  • 'Newark Slayings Stoke Immigration Debate' (Washington Post, Robin Shulman)
OTHER:
PERUANOS EN EL EXTERIOR:
  • 'Sometimes, We Need to do more than Just Pray' (Greensboro News Record, Nancy McLaughlin, North Carolina) re: Fermín Bocanegra
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