Recovering From the Unexpected
By Kai T. HillThe evening of August 15, 2007, is one that will not be forgotten by most Peruvians.
As the sun began to retire, the rumbling started. Many thought that it was just another brief tremor, something common here in Peru. But as the shaking progressed, registering 7.9 in magnitude, there followed the massive devastation. This was the largest earthquake to hit the South American country in more than 30 years. Homes and century-old cathedrals crumbled in minutes. Mass is where many Peruvians took their last breath, as hundreds were trapped inside of falling churches.
Catholic Relief Services was on the ground from the start, providing food and survival kits. Approaching the one-year anniversary of the earthquake, CRS and our local Church partners continue to provide communities with the help they need to rebuild and recover. The following photo tour provides a glimpse of the communities impacted as well as the CRS-supported projects that allow them to move on.
All photos are by Jim Stipe/CRS
Kai T. Hill is an associate web producer. She works in the Baltimore headquarters and recently traveled with CRS to Peru. Jim Stipe is photo editor for CRS. He works in the Baltimore headquarters and has traveled with CRS to Pakistan, Ethiopia, Colombia and Peru.
