Global Voices Online

Editor's Note: The city of Ica was particularly hit hard by the recent Peruvian earthquake. Many of the updates and calls for solidarity came from bloggers based in the metropolis of Lima. GV Author, Juan Arellano made it a point to look for bloggers from the city of Ica and found these blogs.

Melancólico al despertar's [ES] Oliver or “DRMAD” describes himself as a “geek, dreamer, 100% Linux fan, rough, somewhat lazy, but a very nice guy :).” His blog, which had previously focused on technology, online gaming and other related issues, instantly turned serious when the recent earthquake hit his hometown of Ica. His recent entries contain photographs that show the destruction to some of the local churches and the cityscape.

One especially interesting post highlights the way that the residents of Ica are trying to remain resourceful.

Photos by DRMAD and used under a Creative Commons license.

El ingenio del peruano no tiene límites :) Minutos después del terremoto, yo veía en las manos de los transeúntes únicamente celulares. Al día siguiente empezaron a aparecer carretillas con baterías, para cargar el celular :) S/. 2,00 por una hora de carga. Algunos grifos también han estado dando sus tomacorrientes para la carga de celulares gratuitamente.

Peruvian ingenuity has no limits :) Minutes after the earthquake, I saw cell phones in the hands of passersby. Small carts with batteries appeared the next day. They were charging 2 soles/hour to charge cell phones. Some gas stations also were using their energy to charge cell phones free of charge.

He also writes a note of thank and lists what his fellow Ica residents need the most:

Gracias a todos los que se han preocupado por nosotros. Miles de gracias a todos los Clubes Leos que están prestando su ayuda. Si Uds. desean enviar ayuda, las zonas afectadas están muy necesitadas de:

* Frazadas y abrigos (Anoche llovió en Chincha)
* Colchones y/o camas
* Alimentos no perecibles
* Agua. Mucha agua
* Pilas, baterias, linternas.

Thank you to all that have worried about us. Many thanks to the Lion's Club, which has provided us with assistance. If you wish to send help, the areas most affected need:
* Blankets and Coats (it rained last night in Chincha)
* Mattresses and/or beds
* Non-perishable food
* Water, a lot of water
* Batteries and flashlights

Diavolo [ES] is a blogger from Ica, but lives in Lima. He wrote the post, “Help, Earthquake!“

¿Hay alguien que no este molesto con telefónica?, yo lo estoy, aunque soy un felíz usuario de claro, anoche luego de haber hecho la primera llamada (a otro cel. de claro) a Ica todavía no podía hacerlo a un movistar. Ahora salen diciendo que solo realicen llamadas de emergencia ¿en estos momentos alguien lo hace para otra cosa?

Hoy en la mañana, mientras desayunaba, la cifra de muertos ascendió a 350 muertos la mayoría se registró en mi región (Ica). se fugaron los reos del penal “Tambo de Mora - Chincha”, mas de 60% de la ciudad de Ica se encuentra en escombros, en conclusión Ica, esta en un completo caos.

Mientras que algunos que se encuentran en Ica terminaron de revisar si por ahí faltaba algun familiar, yo tengo a media familia completa (espero completarla ahora mismo).

Is there someone that is not upset with Telefonica? I am, even thought I am a content client of Claro after making the first call (to another cell phone with Claro) to Ica. I still cannot make a call to a cell phone with Movistar. Now they tell us that it should only be used for emergency calls. At times like this, does anyone make calls other than emergency
Today in the morning, while I ate breakfast, the deathtoll rose to 350, of which the majority took place in my area (Ica). The prisoners of the “Tambo de Mora - Chincha” prison fled, more than 60% of the city if Ica is in rubble, and in conclusion, Ica is in complete chaos.
While others in Ica look to see if a relative remains, I have a half-family (I hope to find the other half right now).

Sueños de Azul [ES] is a blog written by Jaime G. Wong Chacaltana, is a self-professed Christian that resides in Ica. He publishes information that he had been updating from his cellular phone.

Actualizando periódicamente desde mi celu vía gprs

Sábado

08.06 - Uno ya ni sabe qué día es. Feliz cumpleaños a mi Mami y mi hermana.

07.32 - Más miedo que las réplicas dan los asaltos. Anoche se escuchaba las balas y vino serenazgo. Por Santo Domingo estuvieron saqueando. Creo que el mercado y bodegas. Por San Martín nos dijeron que también. Necesitamos luz cuanto antes. Esto se está degenerando rápidamente. Si no se apresuran se va a volver un caos. Por un lado salimos por la fuerte réplica, para luego meternos por los saqueadores.

Viernes

19.53 - No llega la luz, batería escasa. Hasta el momento ningún creyente grave. Algunos han perdido sus casas o partes de ella, pero están bien. Malentendido sobre La Mar: no se ha destruido, está peligroso para ser usado. Paredes con peligro de caerse. No luz ni agua. Ya empieza a escasear los recursos. Hay gente que sigue necesitando ayuda. En resumen: más afectados Pisco, Cañete e Ica, en ese orden. Vienen hermanos de Lima para ayudarnos. Gracias por sus oraciones, el Señor nos ha protegido. Muchas personas no entienden como esto puede venir de Dios. Su plan es demasiado grande para nuestras mentes. Todo tiene un propósito y una razón, finanente planificada para cada uno. Para ver el arco iris, hay que sentir la lluvia primero.

11.24 - Visitando creyentes. Comatrana bastante afectado, varias casas caídas, falta más ayuda. Seguimos sin agua ni luz. Vi los camiones y ayuda llegar desde la Panamericana, es mi impresión que no están distribuyendo bien. Difícil juzgar cuando lo ves desde fuera. Se que hacen un esfuerzo enorme. Gracias a todos por su ayuda. Necesitamos más.
La casa de don Julio Coello es de adobe y no se cayó gracias a Dios. Está muy debilitada, peligroso seguir allí.

Hasta el momento todos los creyentes ok. No tengo nada de noticias de Cañete. Más afectados Pisco y Comatrana. Ica en menor medida. No agua ni luz. Siguen réplicas. Ya están comenzando a escasear recursos.

Periodically updating from my cell phone via gprs
Saturday
8:06 - One doesn't even know what day it is. Happy birthday to my mom and to my sister.
7:32 - The robberies are scarier than the aftershocks. Last night, you could hear the bullets and the police. In Santo Domingo by markets and shops, there was looting. In San Martin, they told us the same. We need electricity as soon as possible. This is DEGENERANDO quickly. If they don't hurry, it will soon be chaos. On on hand, we escaped a strong aftershock, to later face the looters.
Friday
19:53 - Electricity does not arrive, and the batteries are running out. Until now, not a single believer hurt badly. Some have lost their houses or part of their houses, but they are alright. Misunderstood about “La Mar”, it wasn't destroyed, but it is dangerous to be used. Walls that in danger of falling. No electricity or water. The resources are running out. There are people that still need help. In summary: the most affected are Pisco, Cañete, and Ica in that order. Brothers and sisters from Lima are arriving to help us. Thank you for your prayers, God has protected us. Many people do not understand how this could come from God. His plan is too great for our minds. Everything has a purpose and a reason, planned for each one of us. To see the rainbow, one must first feel the rain.
11:24-Visiting believers. Comatrana drastically affected, many houses have fallen, help is still needed. We are still without electricity and water. I saw trucks arriving from the Panamerican (Highway) and it is my impression that they are not distributing the goods very well. It is difficult to judge watching from a distance. I know that they are making a large effort. Thanks to everyone for their help. We need more. Julio Coello's house is made of adobe and thanks to God, it did not fall. It is very weak, dangerous to remain.
Up until now, all of the believers are okay. I don't have any news from Cañete. Pisco and Comatrana are the most affected. Ica a little less. There is no electricity or water. Aftershocks continue. Resources are starting to run out.

Sol Negro [ES] is a blog written by Paul Guillén, a poet from Ica. There is an image on his site that states “Sol Negro is in mourning,” which contains information on how to help and lists contact information for Transparencia, IDL and the Peruvian Red Cross.

Translation and contribution from Eduardo Avila