Peru, Alliance Earthquake Response

In response to the earthquake of June 23rd 2001 which caused widespread destruction in southern Peru, the three Alliance members with a presence in the country (UK, Canada and Sweden) have been working with five national counterparts in four geographical areas (Ayacucho, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna) to implement a relief and rehabilitation project which incorporates both conventional assistance (shelter, bedding, clothing, household equipment and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure) and educational and training work to promote children’s rights and disaster prevention and preparedness. Although this project is yet to finish, with work on the latter areas due to continue into the second half of 2002, it was considered important to conduct an evaluation of the project at this time.
The fact that the evaluation has been made of work in progress, albeit with many key components fully or nearly fully implemented, makes clear that it is not intended to be an evaluation of how effective the project has been with a view to reporting to donors and portioning out praise or blame. Rather, this is intended to be a contribution to a process of mutual learning by the members of the Alliance and their counterparts in the project on the basis of which the present project can be completed more effectively and future decisions can be taken on a more solid basis. Consistent with this orientation, the evaluation was conducted by a team of Save the Children staff from the various Alliance members involved and members of two counterpart organisations (Mallku and PREDES) with the consultant functioning principally as a coordinator, facilitator and reporter. There were some difficulties in putting together this team but the results were very positive and the author of this report is indebted to the other team members for their contributions and support.