President McAleese has sent a message of condolence to the President of Peru on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland following this week's earthquake which claimed the lives of over 500 people.
President McAleese said:
"It was with shock and profound sorrow that I learnt of the earthquake that struck Peru on the night of 15th August. During this period of national mourning in Peru, I wish to convey, on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland , our sincere condolences to the Government and people of Peru.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, the families whose loved ones remain missing, those who were injured in this tragic event, and those who have seen their homes and livelihoods destroyed."
"The thoughts and prayers of the Irish people are with the people of Peru during this most difficult time".
Meanwhile, in a joint operation with the Italian Government, the Government chartered a special aircraft was to airlift emergency supplies overnight from a United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Italy to the capital of Peru, Lima.
The Government yesterday announced it would send tents, blankets and cooking equipment under the Rapid Response Initiative.
Under the initiative, Ireland has pre-positioned humanitarian supplies at the UNHRD base in the Italian town of Brindisi and at the Defence Forces Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare.