Swiss relief workers head for Peru
Switzerland has sent a small team of experts to help Peru deal with the aftermath of Sunday's devastating earthquake that killed at least 71 people and injured more than 1,000 others.
The Swiss Development Agency said three members of the Swiss Disaster Relief Unit had headed off on Monday to areas shaken by the quake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale.
Spokesman Joachim Ahrens said the experts would work alongside four other Swiss workers already in the area.
Their first priority will be to assess the damage in the worst hit areas and provide aid such as ensuring fresh water supplies and shelter.
According to the Swiss embassy in Lima, around 60 Swiss are registered as living in the earthquake zone.
Peru has declared a state of emergency in the city of Arequipa, one of the worst affected areas.The president-elect, Alejandro Toledo, postponed a trip to the United States and is touring the disaster zone.
The Swiss president, Moritz Leuenberger, has sent a letter of condolence to Peru.
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