The Hindu News Update Service

United Nations, Aug. 18 (PTI): The United Nations has stepped up efforts to provide aid to earthquake victims in Peru with the officials warning that the death toll could mount when the rescue workers reach the currently inaccessible areas.

Several United Nations agencies have received requests for assistance with the confirmed death toll mounting to 510 and another 1,000 injured.

More than 16,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, the world body said, stressing that the toll as also estimates of damage could rise when the rescuers reach Nazca and Palpa which are currently inaccessible.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that early data has revealed the cities of Caqete, Chincha and Pisco to be the most damaged by the tremors registering 7.9 on the Richter scale which struck Peru on the evening of August 15.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has contributed US$ 200,000 for relief efforts and will allocate an additional US$ 300,000 for reconstruction initiatives.

The agency's Deputy Representative, Florence Bauer, said that the Government's response to the disaster has been well-organized.

"It is a country that is used to this kind of emergency. All the hospitals in the country, including the ones from the national army, are open to provide services to anyone who may need it," he said.

The agency believes that the water supply might be affected and sending emergency items, including water-purification tablets, water containers, oral rehydration salts and water tanks with a 10,000-litre capacity, from Panama to the Peruvian capital, Lima.

"Our first priority is for the affected population to have safe water," said Bauer.

UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Education to evaluate the quake's impact on schools.

A UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team is expected to arrive in Peru shortly.

The Government has requested relief supplies such as shelter, tools and medicine, and it is working with the UN Country Team and the international community to identify the most urgent needs.

The UN Resident Coordinator in the South American country has activated the Emergency Operations Centre on a 24-hour basis, and has also informed the Government that an emergency cash grant to support assessment work is available.

Several UN agencies have received requests for assistance and their responses are being coordinated by the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT), while the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) is on standby to help should the Government request it.

Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it will provide US$ 500,000 worth of urgently-needed food relief supplies.