I am currently working in the disaster areas of Peru in the aftermath of the August 15th earthquake. My name is Molly Mednikow, and I am the Founder and Director of Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety, Amazon CARES, based in Iquitos, Peru (the Amazon region). I happened to be in the USA when the earthquake occurred. Within five days I sent four people from Amazon Cares to Ica, Peru to assist in disaster relief for animals. Soon after that three volunteers from Animal Rescue New Orleans arrived. All of this was due to a request for help from ASPPA, the Peruvian Association for the Protection of Animals, based in Lima, Peru. Their initial call for help (translated from Spanish) basically said
“The Ministry of Health has requested help for animals dying of hunger and thirst in the South. Many of them have been abandoned by their owners, stuck or trapped in the rubble. We need balanced food for dogs and cats, but the most important donation is financial, as we have to rent transportation to deliver donations and rescue workers to the disaster zones. Money is also needed to purchase medications as there are many animal accident victims. Nobody is helping these animals as they are not a priority. Don’t abandon us. We need your collaboration. The most humble can save a life.”
August 26th marked my arrival in Peru, as well as the arrival of 12 volunteers from the Canadian Animal Assistance Team, a group originally scheduled for an Amazon CARES expedition for September. Amazon CARES and CAAT mutually agreed that our expertise was needed in the areas surrounding Ica, Peru, not the Amazon Region. The Animal Rescue New Orleans Team departed on September 1st and on September 4th 8 more volunteers from CAAT are arriving! Being a disaster relief effort, there has been much chaos and a lack of organization, which is a frustration to all involved. After a few days of moving around without guidance or direction we were able to confer with the Ministry of Health. They want and need us to assist, and we have developed a short and long term plan, but they do not any funds to support our work! CAAT came with MANY medications and supplies, and Amazon CARES has also donated and purchased vaccines and supplies. ASPPA has acquired donations of dog food. Amazon CARES and CAAT volunteers depart this area on September 14th.
We are proud to be part of the initial relief effort, although ongoing animal welfare issues need to be addressed, and all organizations mentioned above are committed to assisting the Ministry of Health with this process. We are all staying at the family home of Amazon CARES Veterinarian Esther Peña, who grew up in Ica. Despite the complete destruction of many areas (including houses on her own street, the home of Esther’s Mother was not severely damaged. We are all crowded together in sleeping bags on the floor in very frigid temperatures. Water is not in constant supply, but we are grateful to have electricity and lodging and delicious food cooked by Esther`s family.
Both Amazon CARES and CAAT have committed extraordinary resources, time and money to helping these animals. It has been a very expensive effort. Supplies are scarce and most items must be delivered from Lima, Peru (4 hours away under normal travel circumstances). We have also had to rent a bus to transport us to various work sites, and we must constantly purchase medications as we are using them at a rapid rate.If you can afford to help, donations can be made at www.amazoncares.org. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
This is an overview of who is here and the process we have started. Work days are hard and long, and I can not write more AT THIS TIME. However, tomorrow I will write a report that describes in more detail the conditions, the state of animals, and the work we are doing.
