OPERATION USA RESPONDS TO PERU EARTHQUAKE
On September 24, 2007, Operation USA sent a 40-foot sea container with 7 tons of medical relief supplies to aid partners in Peru who are providing medical care to victims of the devastating August 15 earthquake. Disposable medical supplies are being transported by sea and pharmaceutical donations are being sent by air in a first phase of the agency’s disaster response.
Neil Frame, Vice President of Procurement & Logistics, said, “Operation USA first focuses on meeting the demand for first aid and trauma supplies. Later shipments will address intermediate shelter and nutrition needs of thousands of people displaced in urban and rural areas”.
Frame continued, “What disaster victims most want after medical care and food is to get their lives in order as best they can; securing their living space is a priority”. Operation USA is appealing for donations from manufacturers and distributors of priority goods, including tarps, rolls of UV-rated plastic sheeting, hand tools, laminated roofing sheets and related building supplies, and food storage and collapsible water containers.
“Aid to an earthquake, tsunami or hurricane is aimed at providing immediate assistance, but it doesn’t end there,” affirmed Frame. “It is followed by the reconstruction work and for that we need the enthusiasm, energy, and more than anything, funds from individuals, corporations and foundations.” Operation USA receives no U.S. Government funds. The public has so far contributed $80,000 (as of Sept. 13 th). He added, “We would like to have access to a reconstruction budget of at least $250,000”.
Following a very destructive earthquake in 2001, Operation USA worked with Peruvian nonprofit agencies and built five elementary schools in remote areas of southern Peru. Addressing an often overlooked aspect of a major disaster, the agency created a training course for teachers and parents to identify and respond to children suffering psychological trauma.
Operation USA has assisted more than 90 nations in 28 years that have been struck by disasters, civil unrest and endemic poverty. In recent years, the organization sent $18 million in supplies, reconstruction and community redevelopment aid to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India following the Asian Tsunami; and, $15 million to the U.S. Gulf states devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, focusing primarily on the healthcare needs of the thousands of evacuees. Operation USA also responded to a major earthquake in 2005 that struck a remote mountainous region of northeastern Pakistan affecting 3 million people.
Donations can be made by credit card by calling (800) 678-7255 or by going online at www.opusa.org and specifying that your donation is for the victims of the earthquake in Peru.
Donations by mail: Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave. Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.
In your check memo line, please indicate that the donation is for the victims of the earthquake in Peru.
If companies would like to donate air and sea transportation or bulk quantities of appropriate relief supplies, contact Neil Frame at 800-678-7255 or by e-mail at nframe@opusa.org.
