Appeal
Costa Rica
Rehabilitation for communities affected by the Poás/Cinchona Earthquake - LACR91
Appeal Target: US$ 58,080
Balance requested to the ACT Alliance: US$ 8,080
Geneva, 27 February 2009
An earthquake of 6.2 on the Richter scale occurred in San Pedro de Poás, Alajuela on 8 January at 1:21 pm local time. The epicenter was localized at 10 km east of the Poás volcano, at a depth of 6 km according to reports from the auxiliary committees of the Red Cross and the Volcanic and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI). The earthquake was strongly felt across the country. More than 2,000 aftershocks followed and caused further damage. The government issued a number of alerts and the Costa Rican Red Cross had to mobilize more than 159 rescuers to rescue people injured, trapped or cut-off.
According to the latest figures from the National Committee for the prevention of risk and response to disaster (CNE), 23 people were reported dead, 91 injured and 7 missing. About 1087 houses, 5 roads and 5 bridges were destroyed. The earthquake caused landslides, mudslides and low water levels in rivers near the epicenter. An estimated total of 2,266 people still remain in shelters. Whether they will be able to return to their home is unsure, as studies are currently being carried out to assess the stability of the soil.
ACT member, the Lutheran Church of Costa Rica (ILCO), through its permanent contact with community leaders and local associations of the area has assessed the situation and built up a proposal oriented primarily at supporting the families living in shelter in 5 communities: Poasito, Fraijanes, Laguna, Sabana Redonda and San Juan.
The intervention will focus on restoring inter-personal links within the communities, through a number of actions responding to specific groups needs, such as children (recreational activities), women (self-help encouraging activities), community leaders and teachers (risk prevention and mitigation; rights awareness). Together with its national NGO partner Soccer for Life as well as with teams of specialists from the University of Costa Rica, the action proposed will aim at strengthening the communities and encouraging them to take action for themselves in the support of its members well being and rights. Special attention will be given to the migrant population.
Project Completion Date: 31 August 2009
Reporting schedule:
Final narrative & financial: 31 October 2009
Audit: 30 November 2009
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Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested:
Appeal Target: US$ 58,080
Less: Pledges/Contr Recd: 50,000
Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 8,080
Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:
US dollar
Account Number - 240-432629.60A
IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A
Euro
Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z
IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z
Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together
UBS AG
8, rue du Rhône
P.O. Box 2600
1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND
Swift address: UBSWCHZH80A
Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer, Michael Zschiegner (mzs@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.
We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.
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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Bo Bor, a Reuters photographer based in China, has won the second prize of the Spot News Stories category of the 2009 World Press Photo Contest with this photo of earthquake ...
