The Peruvian Embassy in San José says it is thankful for the assistance Costa Ricans have already provided victims of the earthquake that devastated parts of Peru Aug. 15 and is asking for continued support as the country deals with the effects of this disaster.

The embassy has opened a bank account to which people can donate money to aid the country's relief efforts: Scotiabank account number 10301613, according to a statement from the embassy.

Money donated will go toward the country's work in the Ica area and the Cañete province, which were hardest hit by the earthquake. The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency for 60 days to help victims in these areas.

A Peruvian businessman living in Costa Rica whose name was not mentioned in the statement has donated a large container with some relief supplies and offered to pay to ship it to Peru.

The embassy is rounding up goods to fill the container, and residents of Costa Rica can contribute by dropping off canned food products at certain locations around the Central Valley.

Tomorrow through Thursday, donations will be received at the following locations until 5 p.m.: the Peruvian Embassy in Curridabat, east of San José, (225-9145, 225-1575); Juan Pablo II University in Curridabat (272-4595, 879-7381); Ceviche del Rey Restaurant in Santo Domingo de Heredia, north of San José, (244-2985); Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church in Cartago, east of San José, (272-4595, 879-7381); Hotel Rosa del Paseo in San José (257-3225, 257-3213); Empresa Agrotek SA. in Palmares de Alajuela, northwest of San José.

For additional information on donating money or supplies to earthquake victims, call the Peruvian Embassy at 225-1575 or 225-9145.

-Tico Times