Devastating fire impacts families in Lima, Peru

A devastating fire blazed through the Pamplona Alta area of Lima, Peru, on Oct. 11, destroying homes and impacting about 200 families. Among them, 11 families served by Unbound have suffered damages, and 10 of those have lost everything.

According to media reports, a pyrotechnics facility was thought to be the cause, but the fire was still under investigation. While no fatalities had been reported to date, the devastating flames and destruction have left many families in need of immediate aid and safe housing.

The Pamplona area is home to more than 600 families including those served by Unbound. Impacted residents met outside of the community with the Unbound team and their neighbors to receive initial support and to learn next steps. Unbound community support groups initially responded by collecting and delivering goods, including water and food, to families in need. Additionally, sponsored families from the nearby community of Ventanilla have been providing home-cooked meals.

“The outpouring of support from families in the impacted community as well as the neighboring community is a beautiful sign of solidarity and compassion in Peru,” Unbound Lima coordinator Fania Carnero said. “As we continue to reach out to families, we ask you to please keep the entire community in your personal thoughts and prayers.”

On top of housing damage and destruction, many families lost personal documents, school uniforms, books and other important belongings. Until critical needs funds can be appropriately disbursed, the Lima program has been authorized to use existing reserve funds to transfer $350 to each family as an initial response to their needs.

Unbound staff will continue to assess the extent of the damage, stay informed regarding potential government assistance for families and provide support in the aftermath of the fire.

This fire in Lima follows other recent disasters in regions served by Unbound. On Oct. 10, a strong earthquake hit the southern part of the Philippines. Thankfully, Zamboanga and communities in neighboring towns were not impacted.

In late September, an earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu Island in the central Philippines caused household damage, loss of income and trauma for families in Unbound’s Antipolo program. And in August, monsoon season in India brought heavy rains and rising rivers that caused severe flooding in Unbound’s Delhi program in the northern part of India.

How to help families affected by disaster

As reports continue to come in from the field and Unbound assesses the extent of families’ needs, here are steps sponsors and others can take now to help.

• • Pray. The Unbound community is keeping all those affected and those assisting with relief efforts in our prayers.


• • Learn about and donate to the Critical Needs Fund, which assists families in the aftermath of events such as floods, severe storms, earthquakes and fires.