Ambassador Marcela Lopez-Bravo

By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter

After an earthquake hit Peru on Aug. 15, the Peruvian ambassador spent days in anguish out of concern for her Peruvian compatriots. But she was encouraged by the international community's support, especially that of the Korean people.

Ambassador Marcela Lopez-Bravo said that from the day the earthquake struck, many Korean people phoned the embassy in Seoul offering their services, and she was deeply moved by their warmth.

``I'd like to express my gratitude for the international support, especially to the Koreans, who called the embassy to offer the Peruvian people assistance. They are very gentle and caring.''

A quake measuring 7.9 has left at least 650 dead and 1,600 people injured so far, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The number continues to grow as many people are still reporting missing family members.

The catastrophe attracted immediate attention and aid to the affected areas from the international community.

Many countries like the U.S., the EU, Italy, France, Canada, Spain, Columbia, Chile, Mexico and Korea provided Peru with material and monetary aid. So did international organizations like the World Bank, Lopez-Bravo said.

The Korean government made a donation of $300,000.

Despite torrents of help, Peru is still very short of medicine and medical supplies.

``Because of the current conditions, and the shortage of medicine, people are especially more vulnerable to virus infections.'' the ambassador said.

On a list of most-needed medical supplies are vaccines that fight against influenza, rotavirus and hepatitis B, and medical supplies such as cotton rolls, sterilized gauze, gloves and elastic rollbands. (See below)

The ambassador said the embassy opened a bank account at the Korean Exchange Bank for donations, and any monetary and material donations would be deeply appreciated.

The bank account name, number and holder is: Korea Exchange Bank; Bank Account #: 601-000-255471 _ Bank Account Holder: Earthquake Peru 2007, Embassy of Peru in Korea.

It has been a while since an earthquake of this magnitude has hit Peru. The last earthquake that hit was more than 30 years ago in 1974 with a magnitude of 8.1.

Lopez-Bravo was particularly concerned about damage to the nation's economy.

She said the earthquake destroyed many houses and also flattened a big chunk of the infrastructure of Peru, which is going to be an enormous challenge to the developing country.

]The epicenter was located near the coast of central Peru, about 45km west-northwest of Chincha Alta and 145 km south-southeast of Lima, the capital. Lima was among the-most-hit areas along with Ica and Pisco.

But the government is making all possible efforts to devise a solution and to shorten the time of recovery, the ambassador said.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency Fact Book, the Peruvian economy has made a great leap in recent years between 2002 and 2006 making an average of four percent annual growth.

And it was positively reflected in the foreign investments and trade volume with other countries including Korea.

Between Korea and Peru, according to a fact sheet from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade last year, trade was nearly $1 billion, and 26 Korean investment projects worth $900 million were underway as of March 2007.

Korea exports automobiles, electronic appliances and oil-chemical products to Peru, and oil, gold and fish in reverse.

Lopez-Bravo is one of the four female ambassadors in Seoul, soon to be five with a new ambassador from El Salvador who is to replace the outgoing ambassador Alfredo F. Ungo.

The three other female ambassadors are Celina M. Assumpcao do Valle Pereira of Brazil, Jane Charlotte Coombs of New Zealand and Susan O. Castrence of the Philippines.

Making herself a role model for many women who aspire to actively engage shoulder-to-shoulder with men as a female diplomat, the ambassador encouraged them saying that it is challenging, but it certainly not impossible.

She also mentioned that the changing environment is becoming favorable to women, as people become more receptive and welcome female presence and authority.

``We have had the opportunity to face difficult situations in bilateral and multilateral negotiations, a challenge that 30 years ago was only performed by male diplomats.

Today, many women have turned into leaders of groups and commissions in international organizations,'' she said.

She began her diplomatic career in 1974, and has been stationed in Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Venezuela, Italy and Korea.

skim@koreatimes.co.kr

List of Medicines and Insumes

Vaccines Against Influenza, rotavirus and hepatitis B
Halazone (carboxibencenosulfurodinamida)
Globaline (hidroperiyoduro de tetraglicina)
Aquatabs (dihidroisocianato de sodio)
Chlor-floc (diclorostriacinetriona de sodio)
NaCL 0.9%
Poligelina o gelatina succinilitada 3.5%
Dexametazona 4 mg/ml
Diazepan 5 mg
Diclofenaco 25 mg/ml * 3ml
Lidocaina clorhidrato 2% S/E
Paracetamol 120 mg/5ml
Paracetamol 500 mg
Dicloxacilina * 500 mg
Dicloxacilina 250 mg/5ml
Ibuprofeno 400 mg
Ibuprofeno 100 mg*5ml
Adrenalina 1mg/ml
Dextrosa 33.3% /20ml
Medicinal cotton roll * 500gr
Cateter Intravenous Nro 18
Cateter Intravenous Nro 22
Cateter Intravenous Nro 24
Microdropper
Equipment for venoclisis
Esparadrapo antialergico 5*4 a 5 mt en conos
Sterilized gauze
Sterilized gloves
Gloves for examination
Disposable syringe 5 cc c/a Nro 21 * 11/2
Black silk 3/0 c/A Cortante
Rollband gauze 4*1 mt
Elastic rollband 4*5 yards
Elastic rollband 6*5 yards
Yodopolividona 10% *1000 yards
Extension DYS