MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UN steps up assistance for Peruvian quake victims

United Nations is bolstering its assistance through the release of almost 10 million US dollars from an emergency fund and an appeal for nearly 40 million to be launched next week to victims of the major earthquake which rocked Peru on 15 August, one of the world body's top humanitarian officials revealed Friday.

The UN has already approved the release of 9.6 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund "to ensure that the resources are available" UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Margareta Wahlström told reporters in New York. The CERF is a landmark fund established by the world body in 2006 to speed up relief operations for humanitarian emergencies and make funds available quickly after a disaster, when people are most at risk. An official UN appeal for 38 million will also be launched next week, Ms. Wahlström said. "There has been enormous outpouring, I would say, of assistance from countries in the sub-region, from regional banks, from NGOs [non-governmental organizations]," she noted. "Everyone is being supportive of this effort." Efforts are still in progress to improve hygiene and water sanitation, Ms. Wahlström said, adding that debris clearing will also be introduced shortly. Emergency employment schemes will be initiated so that "people will both get a job with some income and at the same time the rubble of all the collapsed buildings will go away." Assessments conducted by both the UN and the Government are also expanding to rural areas to ensure that "the organization of relief is progressing well," she said. To this end, Peru is also conducting a local census to determine correct population figures. To collect data in support of the appeals for assistance, a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team has conducted assessments in Cañete, San Luis, Chincha, Ica and Pisco, primarily to examine the shelter situation. So far, 513 people have been confirmed killed and about 1,000 people reported to have been injured in the earthquake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was 161 kilometres south of Lima, the capital. The United Nations Children's Fund until now has focused its efforts in the water and sanitation sector and has delivered chlorine, water containers and tanks and water-purification tablets. It will now begin to address latrine and water supply needs in schools and shelters, and will also assist the Government by providing 47 tents to serve as nurseries as well as provide psychological support and educational materials for children.