Aid for Peruvian earthquake victims

New Yorkers, particularly Queens residents, are pitching in to help fund relief efforts for Peru after an earthquake shook the coastal area, killing more than 540 and injuring at least 1,500.
The number of Peruvians believed to have been left homeless by the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday, August 15 is estimated in the tens of thousands.
In Queens, organizers turned a Peruvian cultural festival on Sunday, August 19 into a fundraiser for aid. The event, run by the Centro Civico Peruano and originally scheduled for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, moved to Long Island City and was renamed “Marathon for Peru.” All of the proceeds, which as of Monday, August 20 were still being counted, were to be handed over to the Peruvian consulate in New York.
Although several local organizations are soliciting donations for relief efforts, most are encouraging that donors give directly to their local consulate or to a reputable international aid organization.
The International Federation of Red Cross, Red Crescent Societies, American Red Cross, and other Red Cross groups are providing aide for the area, which has been declared by Peruvian President Alan Garcia as in a state of emergency. To donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or for Spanish, 800-257-7575.
The groups, however, are accepting only monetary donations even though first aid materials, antibiotics, water purifiers, and hygiene products are desperately needed.
Gabrielle Hamilton, Pachamama Peruvian Arts Director, said that her organization - which holds many of its Peruvian cultural events and classes in Queens - is trying to circulate information to borough residents concerned about the South American country.
“What Pachamama is trying to do is serve as an information clearing house,” Hamilton said on Monday, August 20. “We have 1,000 Peruvians on our [email] list.”
Hamilton said that several of her students traveled back to Peru to check on family members and survey the extensive damage. The organization, which has been on a short summer break since earlier this month, also sent out a message to earthquake victims and their families.
“Our thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time. We pray that the after-shocks from the earthquake have ended,” the message read. “We hope that all of your friends and family are safe and well protected.”
Donations can be made through:
Consulate General of Peru in New York
241 East 49th St.
Manhattan, NY 10017
Volunteers with rescue experience who are interested in helping can call the Consulate General of Peru at 646-735-3828 or visit their website at www.consuladoperu.com.