Earthquake-resistant construction in Peru

In 2007, an earthquake in Peru destroyed more than 100,000 buildings, including hospitals, schools, government buildings and cherished family homes. The rebuilding process revealed further threats, in the form of totally inadequate local expertise in earthquake-resistant construction. The urgent need to fill this knowledge gap, to prevent future tragedy, prompted a partnership agreement between the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Swiss Re, signed in October 2008. These two experts joined forces to make the Peruvian population less vulnerable to earthquakes in future. Know-how transfer, technical assistance and strategic policy dialogue formed the foundations of a solid earthquake-resistance construction programme.

Skills mean survival

Nothing can bring back the 514 lives lost in the 2007 earthquake. Building local capacities for earthquake-resistant construction can however ensure that there is not a repeat performance. Our cooperation with the SDC focuses on the earthquake-hit rural areas of Ica, Huancavelica and Lima. Tangible results already include the training of 250 craftsmen, carried out on 25 purpose built, seismic-safe model houses. A further 250 masters have also received training to instruct other professionals on vital construction techniques. This comprehensive education drive has gone hand-in-hand with a widespread awareness programme, sensitising the population of at least two provinces on seismic-safe construction and informing around 20 communities of the natural and socio-cultural risks of earthquakes.

Spreading the knowledge net

The benefits of our project with the SDC have spread well beyond the specific families we have helped to rebuild their homes. It has enabled entire communities to identify safe sites for construction, provided improved coordination with the authorities, as well as shared knowledge of earthquake-resistant construction via governmental institutions and NGOs. It has also given construction workers and architects a stable income to improve their living conditions medium-term. This project presents living proof of the importance of the leading roles played by knowledge and cooperation in containing the consequences of natural catastrophes.

Corporate responsibility

We have a long-standing commitment to corporate responsibility and strive to implement this across our business. Our performance has received high ratings from independent third-party organisations.

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