PRESS RELEASE

The tragic earthquake in Peru resulted in more than 550 fatalities, and in excess of 1,100 people injured. With more than 35,000 homes destroyed, roads, highways, hospitals, public buildings, churches, communication networks, water and power systems; all suffering severe damages. The hardest hit groups were children and adolescents.

Many people are living in the streets and reconstruction is in the distant future.
On a more upbeat note, Peruvian disaster officials are saying that the response in terms of help has come from all over the world. Also, according to Peruvian government sources clothing items are no longer needed.

Immediate donations of money are urgently needed to start reconstruction and to give the medical community a boost.

The House of Peru, a member of the International Cottages in Balboa Park and a 501-C (3) charitable organization, has opened an Earthquake Disater Relief Fund Account at the Park West Office of Washington Mutual Bank, located at 5th & Laurel in San Diego.  Account #3162852707.

Checks or money orders should be made payable to: “HOP - Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund“, and may be dropped at any Washington Mutual Bank branch, or mailed to:

Please note:  House of Peru is no longer accepting donations of physical items after Saturday, September 22nd.  However, financial donations for the relief effort will be accepted indefinitely.

Update (9/27/2007)

Dear members and Friends of the House of Peru:

As you may know, The House of Peru (HOP) has been collecting donations specifically for the victims of the recent earthquake disaster in Peru. As of September 27th 2007, we have collected $ 6,500.50 in the Washington Mutual Bank.

A group of donors spearheaded by Jano Montoya (Former Peruvian Congressman, member and Masters of Ceremonies of HOP) donated $ 3,350.00 dollars and asked us to set aside those funds for providing shelter for the victims that had lost their homes.

The concept is to have the labor for these "casitas" supplied by the victims of the earthquake who would be benefited upon their completion. In addition, once these victims are relocated, these "casitas" will be used to shelter children and Senior Citizens who would otherwise be living in the streets.

The Board of Directors of The House of Peru voted to add an additional $700.00 dollars to the Montoya group funds and gave our blessings to the project. This will enable the project to complete about 12 dwellings "casitas". Mr. Montoya left for Lima on September 20th to coordinate the project on the ground in Ica. He will personally take $4,050.00 dollars to Club Departamental Ica, leaded by our sports icon, Pilancho Jiménez (ex captain of the national volleyball team).

As progress and time permit we will report the results thru our website.

This is a wonderful way to turn your generous contributions into something that is immediate and will last for many, many years to come.

The sending of the container with clothes, shoes, medicine, food and other articles is being coordinated so it will depart as soon as possible, we’ll keep you informed.

Board of Directors
House of Peru

Update (10/10/2007)

Dear Members and Friends:

Most of you know Former Peruvian Congressman Jano Montoya and all the good work he does for Peru and Peruvians. Most of you are aware that the HOP opened a bank account to receive donations for the victims of the recent Peruvian Earthquake. Mr. Montoya got together a few of his friends and donated over $3,350.00 to the earthquake victim’s fund. The Earthquake victims fund added an additional $700.00 and Mr. Montoya went to Peru (paying his own expenses) and purchased materials and supplies to construct 13 shelters to house some of the unfortunate Peruvians who had lost their homes in the disaster. Mr. Montoya returned last week and gave a complete accounting, report and pictorial presentation of the events surrounding the purchase, construction and occupancy of these shelters.

We are happy to share the results of these successful donations with all of you.

Mr. Montoya will be returning to Peru in approximately 3 to 4 weeks and if you would like to be a part of this success story, each small shelter costs only $350.00, please make your donation at any Washington Mutual bank in any amount you are comfortable with to the Peruvian Earthquake Victims Relief Fund Account # 316-285-273-1

Be sure and tell the cashier to write your name, address and phone number on the deposit receipt and mail a copy to the address they have on file for the account. By doing so you will receive a thank you letter along with the ability to deduct this as a charitable contribution.

Pictures are in this webpage: http://picasaweb.google.com/janomontoya

It is important to know that all the labor needed to build the shelters is being provided by the earthquake victims themselves. Once these shelters are no longer needed by the earthquake victims they will be used as shelter for seniors and orphans.

Once again thank you for your generosity in helping the Peruvian Earthquake Victims.

Board of Directors – House of Peru
Gladys F. Jones-Morrison
Marisol Meyer
Jessica Saco
Tim Star
Mark Morrison
Ruben Dario Gavilan

Help us gain TPS designations for Peruvians in this country.

INFORMATION:
If you wish to contact the National Institute of Civil Defense in Peru (INDECI), you can call the following numbers:
INDECI Communication Center: (011-511) 226-2291
National Operations Center: (011-511) 224-2355
Emergency Operations Center: (011-511) 224-1685 or 224-1687
INDECI website: www.indeci.gob.pe

US Peruvian Consulates website: www.consuladoperu.com

Peruvian Health Ministry: telephone number to ask for people affected by the
earthquake (011-511) 315-6600 ext. 2239 and 2788

House of Peru- Board of Directors – www.houseofperu.org/about.php