Over 500 people are dead, 1600 injured and 20,000 homeless families. The damage to property is impossible to assess. This was the initial assessment of the effects of the earthquake that shook the cities of Pisco, Chincha, Ica and Canete on August 15, 300 km south of the capital, Lima. Members of the community of the Focolare Movement in Peru wrote the following:  “The cities look like war zones. Thousands of families have lost everything: close relatives, homes, food, work… A huge wave of solidarity began throughout the country. Thousands of people come to help the stricken population, donating food, medicine, blankets (it is the middle of winter in Peru). Towns, and associations and businesses have collected tons of humanitarian aid. We have begun work together with organisations like the Red Cross and other NGOs, in order to concentrate our efforts and make what we do more effective. In our houses there is a constant stream of people, those we know and others we don’t, bringing clothing, food, and medicines. The families of the Movement, with their children, have joined an aid project, filling canvas bags with a little jacket, a hat, a book, a soft toy, coloured pencils, a drawing pad, stickers, and a greeting card to a small friend in the affected area. The children are very happy to be able to contribute. The project now involves many children, and thousands of bags will be distributed on September 1 and 2.” AMU (Action for a united world), an NGO of the Focolare Movement, and recognised by the Italian Foreign Ministry, has sent an initial contribution of 7000 dollars for the most urgent needs, and has launched a campaign for funds to ensure continuity of aid in the near future after the emergency phase has passed, for rebuilding homes and finding work to support families If you wish to contribute to the action of solidarity for Peru, you can send your contribution marked “Emergenza Peru” to one of the following accounts: Associazione “Azione per un Mondo Unito – Onlus” Via Frascati 342 – 00040 Rocca di Papa (Roma) Postcode 81065005 or Account number  000000120434, Banca Popolare Etica – Filiale di Roma CIN G – ABI 05018 – CAB 03200 IBAN coordinates: IT16   G050   1803   2000   0000   0120   434 BIC (swift) code : CCRTIT2184D