UN leads world help for quake-ravaged Peru

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations pledged a million dollars (750,000 euros) of relief for Peru on Thursday as governments and aid agencies around the world rushed to help the quake-ravaged South American nation.

Offers of funds, manpower and expertise poured in from Peru's immediate neighbors, the Americas region and Europe as news spread of the extent of the devastation from the 8.0-magnitude quake Wednesday.

US President George W. Bush offered 100,000 dollars in immediate emergency aid, with the possibility of more to come, the White House said.

"The president and Mrs. Bush offer their condolences to the people of Peru, and especially to those who have lost a loved one because of this natural disaster," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

Johndroe said the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was rushing the funds and deploying disaster-response staff to the stricken country, and that the Defense Department and other US agencies were ready to assist if needed.

Canada meanwhile said it was providing immediately two million Canadian dollars (1.86 million US dollars) for relief and recovery efforts.

Ottawa "is in the process of identifying experienced partner organizations in Peru to respond to the situation," said International Cooperation Minister Beverley Oda. "Canada will also make available its roster of humanitarian experts and its stockpile of emergency supplies, should Canadian expertise or relief items be requested.

The World Bank's vice president for the Latin America-Caribbean region Pamela Cox said the development lender was "ready to support the reconstruction efforts in the way the government of Peru considers appropriate."

UN chief Ban Ki-moon's office said it was already in close contact with Lima "and stands ready to support relief efforts with measures including the release of emergency funds and the deployment of a team of disaster assessment and coordination experts."

The world body said its different agencies had set aside one million dollars, including 100,000 dollars in a special fund to deal with the most pressing problems.

Colombia sent 50 tonnes of relief supplies along with a pledge from President Alvaro Uribe to visit Peru in the coming days to offer his personal assistance.

Neighboring Bolivia also sent 12 tonnes of emergency food supplies and medicine on an air force plane for the quake, which was felt in the Bolivian capital La Paz.

The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) said a Peruvian Red Cross team had reported "widespread devastation" in the southern region worst hit by the quake, especially around Pisco and Ica.

"The first impression of the team was of widespread devastation especially among the houses. The trip by road from Lima to Pisco took seven hours, instead of the usual two," said Giorgio Ferrario, the IFRC representative in Lima.

Two Red Cross planes carrying tents, plastic covers, blankets and water canisters were headed from Panama City to Lima.

The IFRC said it had also sent 205,000 dollars from an emergency fund to help the Peruvian Red Cross operation.

New York, Friday, AFP