In response to Wednesday's massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Peru, Phi Iota Alpha, along with Direct Relief International, and the Phi Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha at Michigan State University have launched fundraising relief efforts.

Direct Relief International is moving quickly to respond with medical aid and cash resources to the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Peru. The earthquake has compromised telephone and Internet communications in and out of the country, and thus details of the extent of the damage to infrastructure is coming in slowly.

Direct Relief has worked in Peru since 1992 and has established a reliable flow of medical support to PAMS and the Catholic Archdiocese of Lima. The most recent report from the Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil indicates that the earthquake caused 387 deaths and left an additional 1,300 people severely injured.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the earthquake victims and their families.

Direct links to donate funds are available on phiota.org

Any funds received for the Peru quake will be used exclusively for this purpose without any expense charged to administration or fundraising.  Direct Relief pays all such overhead expenses with its own funds.

Since 1931, Phi Iota Alpha has set precedents for Latino greek leadership in the global community. Through the past 75 years, Phi Iota Alpha has cultivated and inspired Latino men nationwide to become leaders of their communities across Latin America and the United States. Open to all men, this distinguished brotherhood includes many professionals and former presidents of Latin American countries. Today Phi Iota Alpha, the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, continues to lead as the preeminent Latino fraternal organization with chapters throughout the United States.

Founded in 1948, Direct Relief International is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. In 2006, Direct Relief provided over $200 million in direct aid through medical material assistance and targeted cash grants to more than 300 healthcare facilities and organizations in 56 countries, providing 23.8 million courses of treatment. Direct Relief is one of two charities ranked by Forbes that has received a perfect fundraising efficiency score for five consecutive years.