Peru: Gays step in to help those affected by the massive earthquake

With over 500 deaths and thousands hurt (numbers that are unfortunately rising by the minute) two gay-rights organizations, one in Peru and the other in Miami, are stepping up to the plate to provide relief to those affected by the August 15th disaster.

Today and tomorrow in Miami the Unity Coalition is joining forces with other local organizations to collect donations for victims of the earthquake. The organizations are asking for "canned and non-perishable food, blankets, bottled water and financial support for the victims."

Donations are being collected at the Immigrant Orientation Center's office at 45 NW 27th Avenue In Miami from 9am to 6pm. For more information you can call the Unity Coalition at 786-356-1665.

In the meantime the oldest LGBT-rights organization in Peru, the 25 year old Homosexual Movement of Lima (MHoL), has also launched a "solidarity campaign" calling on the LGBT community of Peru to join forces in an effort to help victims.

Much like the organizations on Miami, MHoL is also requesting "non-perishible food items, clothing, basic first aid medicine and bottled water" as Diario de Lima Gay reports but they say that they will focus their assistance on affected LGBT communities. Their office in Lima is located at Mariscal Miller 828 of the Jesus Maria neighborhood and they will be open from 9am to 7pm during the few following weeks.

If you would like to make a donation through MHoL, contact Jorge Alberto Chávez Reyes at chavez@mhol.org.pe for more information.