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Peru's Military Sends 1,000 Soldiers to Keep Ica, Chincha, Pisco Safe

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(LIP-ir) -- Peru's Minister of Defense, Allan Wagner, stated that 1,000 soldiers from Peru's Military will be present to maintain Pisco safe.

Pisco, located in the Region of Ica, was one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake on Wednesday August 15.

Just over 50 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake, 70 percent of Pisco has been left in ruins. The highway which connects Lima and Pisco has been severely damaged and officials haver reported that sending aid has been difficult.

Peru's government has relied mainly on the aerial transport of food, medicine and other provisions. Due to a lack of food, water and shelter, Pisco's people are becoming restless and desperate. Several attacks on vehicles transporting provisions have been reported.

Peru's police have suggested that this could be in part the work of the few escaped inmates which have not been captured yet. The inmates escaped from Tambo de Mora prison in Chincha, when its walls collapsed after the 8 degree earthquake hit Peru.

Currently there are 400 of Peru's soldiers patrolling streets and maintaining order. It is planned that 600 more will arrive to the Provinces of Ica, Pisco, Chincha and Cañete to ensure citizen safety.

Defense Minister Wagner, has stated that last night was a calm night in Pisco, Ica and Chincha, and that acts of violence or pillage have not taken place.

He reported that 450 people have already been taken to Lima for medical help.

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# Michael says :
18 August, 2007 [ 10:25 ]

Well, we have an expression in english for this - "A day late and a dollar short."

I think they needed more intense military assistance starting a few days ago.  Looting, and robberies in general, has been quite widespread.

I'm glad they are getting around to it, though.

# Silvia Riglos says :
18 August, 2007 [ 11:18 ]

It is a pity that the civileans have to pay for the non-organization of the government and the authorities, where they are Mr. Garcia? how are they organizing, who is the logistics manager? how do you expect people to wait 72 hours without food? The president sent the ministers to "see" the disaster, what have they done? are they capable to give solutions? NO! but still the government says that they have send food, water and other supplies. How are they going to distribute them?
These are the results when the top posts are in hands of "members of the party, in this case APRA" and not of experts. Shame on you MR Garcia and Mr del Castillo.

# americorps says :
18 August, 2007 [ 13:42 ]

There is significantly more aid going now to Pisco and the effected areas than Bush was able to get to New Orleans.

It took Bush 5 days to get a bottle of water to the city.

# Michael says :
19 August, 2007 [ 08:44 ]

americorps;

I don't know what your point is.  Are you saying that, in your opinion, this recovery is less bad than Katrina, and therefore, significant mistakes are OK?

I won't even get into the fact that you are completely wrong.  The first aid arrived to New Orleans within 24 hours.  And it built from there, with a large convoy of aid arriving within 4 days.  Do some research before spouting off.

Katrina, and other disasters such as this one, should be studied by governments around the world so that they can prepare and be organized for when a disaster strikes.  I understand that some poor countries may not be able to stock supplies, but they could make an effort to develop plans (such as sending out police and military into affected areas *immediately* to help keep a population calm and provide initial assistance).

# americorps says :
19 August, 2007 [ 18:56 ]

1. No, It is pasive agressive and childish to take my comments and re-tool them to suggest mistakes are ok.

2. My statement was the Government took 5 days to get water to New Orleans Superdome, and that is true.  Red Cross and Salvation army were there very fast, but my government failed.

I was involved with disaster relief through the Salvation Army, so I know for a fact that your presumptions are not true.

Sorry you were offended by what you presumed I was intending, but I am dissapointed your response was to say things that are not true.

# Michael says :
19 August, 2007 [ 19:34 ]

1. Why even mention or compare to Katrina unless you were making an excuse for what is going on now?

2.  Wrong:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/02/katrina.impact/index.html

And that was the federal government (4 days).  The state had already sent supplies.

3. I had family there in New Orleans at the time, and am well aware of how the government responded.

Stop making stuff up.  When a bad administration makes mistakes, don't exaggerate them.  When the exaggerations are exposed, people stop listening.  Largely an issue my fellow liberals have in the US.  It just makes them look stupid.

I'd also like to point out that while you were talking about aid (food, water, etc.), I was talking about security and safety.  Frankly, I'm not sure aid could come any faster in a developing nation like Peru.  There was serious destruction of infrastructure in a country lacking infrastructure to begin with.

However, Peru does have a military that is ready to move, and could have moved as early as the night of the earthquake to help secure the areas and bring safety to people as well as (possibly) start some rescue operations.

# americorps says :
19 August, 2007 [ 23:04 ]

http://www.google.com.pe/search?hl=es&q=fema+took+five+days+to+reach+new+orleans&btnG=Buscar+con+Google&meta=

Here are a mountain of articles documenting Fema took five days to get any significant support to New Orleans, proving what I saw with my own eyes.

Please do not make things up, it is wrong to lie.

and you continue to put words in my mouth.

Please grind your axe somewhere else,I have not time for your childish nonsense.

# Alan says :
20 August, 2007 [ 00:51 ]

Who is this Michael that has a comment for everything that is Peruvian?  Who put him on the high horse of truth and moral fortitude?  By god, I for one am tired of his remarks and comments and his attacks on those who dare to disagree.  Why does he assume he knows everything that is going on in Peru? Is it because he reads local Spanish news media websites?  Anyone who lives in Peru knows that the majority of what the Peruvian media states is either heavily influenced, fabricated, or based on lies.  Again, anyone with real, firsthand knowledge of Peru knows this.  Perhaps his positions are based on a friend's or family member's experience?  In any event, experience things for yourself before spouting off or ridiculing anyone who says anything different from your regurgitated comments based on some one else's reporting and/or experiences.

# Michael says :
24 August, 2007 [ 12:35 ]

Alan;

What in the world are you talking about?  I don't read too much of the Peruvian media.  Mostly I talk to my family members and neighbors in Pueblo Libre and Hunacayo.

americorps - you are only hurting your own case by not actually backing up your version of "facts."  I think you need to think before you write.

# americorps says :
24 August, 2007 [ 22:07 ]

Michael, at this point I realize you are just a troll and of no significance

# Michael says :
25 August, 2007 [ 08:21 ]

And you, americorps, are a transparent sycophant.

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