The Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, called Monday Peruvian President Ollanta Humala to express condolences on behalf of the American people for Peruvians affected by the earthquake that struck Cusco region last week.
The U.S Vice President reiterated that the United States stands ready to assist the Peruvian government's efforts to address the disaster and underscored the importance of the U.S.-Peru partnership.
An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale struck the province of Paruro, in Peru's southern region of Cusco late Saturday night.
At least eight people have died and five people were critically injured from the quake. One road was blocked and about 90 percent of the houses in Misca, a remote Andean village in the Paruro province, collapsed, including an 18th Century church.
Measures are being taken and action is being coordinated with Cusco’s regional government to clear the area.
The authorities have declared a state of emergency and President Ollanta Humala has said his government will help rebuild the village.
So far, Indeci has provided the population with food, blankets, and basic necessities.
Peru lies in the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”, which is the site of 85 percent of global seismic activity caused by friction between shifting tectonic plates.
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Published: 9/30/2014