Earthquake in Peru: Realities and Myths

Abstract

Although an estimated 80 percent of the population of Peru live in earthquake-prone areas and are exposed to high risks, the earthquake that struck the Ica Region in August 2007 was relatively minor in comparison with the terrible consequences of the great Ancash earthquake of 1970. Nevertheless, it received a great deal of media attention, since there was little competition from other crises at the time. As a result, international donors were drawn to the crisis, at least in the initial phase of the emergency.While donors were quick to respond, they found that the Peruvian government was unable to effectively coordinate with international actors.These two factors, compounded by the absence of a clear contingency plan, a focus on the initial emergency phase, and weak national institutions, constituted the principal complications faced in the humanitarian response.Thus, the Peru earthquake highlights some of the difficulties in implementing the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) Principles which promote the strengthening of local capacity and a sustained response.