Argentina has arranged for two aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to be sent to Colombia in response to the emergency caused by the earthquake that struck the west of the Andean country on August 10, the Foreign Ministry in Buenos Aires reported.
A total of 304 people were killed and 4,548 injured in the quake, according to the latest figures from the Colombian disaster management authority. Thousands of homes, high-rise buildings, schools and hospitals swere also destroyed.
in response to the crisis, Argentina on Tuesday sent two planes carrying “32 personnel and is equipped with a water purification plant, a field kitchen, cold-chain equipment, radio and satellite communications, and 7,500 individual emergency rations.” the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
“A Hercules C-130 will be equipped with the necessary supplies to fulfil the support requested by Colombia, whilst an Embraer RJ 140 will transport the 32 personnel who will be assigned to the mission,” said Presidential Spokesperson Adrián Ravier, without providing further details.
AFP confirmed the departure of the first of the two aircraft on Tuesday afternoon.
Argentina's Armed Forces report that the contingent will be based in the city of Quibdó, in the department of Chocó, one of the areas affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake.
– TIMES/AFP
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