Bolivian president to
donate half salary to
Peruvian quake victims
Bolivian President Evo
Morales said Monday that
he would donate half of
his monthly salary, or
us$950 dollars, to
emergency aid for
earthquake victims in
Peru, according to news
from La Paz.
Speaking at the launch
of a campaign to collect
emergency aid for Peru,
Morales said Vice
President Alvaro Garcia
would also donate half
of his earnings, adding
that other cabinet
members would contribute
25 percent.
"We cannot abandon our
brothers in Peru," he
said.
Bolivia has already sent
a plane-load of aid to
Peru, where a quake
killed at least 540
people and devastated
the southern cities of
Pisco, Ica and Chincha
last week.
"Peru has always shown
solidarity with us, and
the first contribution
I'd like to announce is
that the president and
vice president will
donate 50 percent of
their salaries," Morales
said.
International aid is not
always enough when there
is a natural disaster,
but a small contribution
will always help the
families affected by the
earthquake, said the
president.
He also promised to set
up a 300-member team
that will collect funds
for Peru.
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