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Press Release


OAS SECRETARY GENERAL EXPRESSES SYMPATHY
FOR TRAGEDY IN PERU

  August 16, 2007

* Insulza to call an emergency meeting to release financial support

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, expressed his condolences and solidarity with the government and people of Peru over the tragedy caused by yesterday’s earthquake in that country. “The entire Inter-American community joins our sister country of Peru in mourning the loss of lives” Insulza said, adding that the earthquake wreaked particularly heavy damage in some of the neediest and most isolated areas of Peru.

“Peru will benefit from international help to respond to this natural disaster, and the OAS will do everything possible to support the humanitarian aid efforts already underway and to mobilize new resources,” Insulza said. In order to help provide assistance, the Secretary General expressed his commitment to support the recovery efforts of Peru, including convoking an emergency meeting to release financial support to Peru for its disaster recovery efforts, through the Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund (FONDEM).

Reference: E-195/07