A CUPAR church is rallying to help relief work in the aftermath of the Peru earthquake which has killed at least 450 people and injured 1500. (See also Page 3.)

The centre of the earthquake was close to the city of Ica, where Cupar Old Parish Church has a building project with Scripture Union Peru.

Although the home for street boys which it is constructing escaped damage, SU Peru is helping those who have been affected by the earthquake.

In an Email to Cupar Old Church minister the Rev Dr Ken Jeffrey, executive director Paul Clark told how it was supplying tents to those left homeless by the disaster and opening the site in Ica which has a well to provide much needed water to the local people.

Donations are being collected by Dr Jeffrey for the Vine Trust, the Bo’ness- based international charity through which it supports Scripture Union Peru, and these will be distributed locally to where they are needed.

Although immediate aid efforts are being co-ordinated by the government, UN and international aid agencies, the Vine Trust is in discussions to determine how it will be able to help in the longer term.

The 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday, at 6.40pm local time, and Peru has now been declared in a state of emergency.

The province of Ica has been worst affected. The city of Pisco was said to be 70% in ruins and in the town of Imperial it was reported 80% of houses had fallen.

The effects were also felt in the capital Lima 150 kms away.

The condition of 48 of the schools which SU Peru works with in the stricken area was not yet known, nor was the fate of the 4500 children in its Christian Value classes.

Dr Jeffrey said members of the congregation were very concerned at news of the earthquake, particularly as the area where 20 had been last year digging foundations for the boys’ home was one of the worst affected.

A party of 35 are to return next year to complete the construction.

Dr Jeffrey said, “According to reports Ica has been badly affected.”

However, he added, “There was gladness the construction site hasn’t been affected, and we were thrilled to hear they are providing tents and there is a well which they are allowing the general public to use as there is no water in the city.”

Donations can be made at Cupar Old Parish Church or cheques, payable to The Vine Trust and marked Ica Earthquake, sent to Dr Jeffrey at 76 Hogarth Drive, Cupar, KY15 5YU.