As hope faded in finding survivors, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tuesday was dispatching emergency aid to the stricken South American country of Peru.

Tents, blankets and sleeping mats were being flown from JICA’s Miami warehouse to the capital, Lima, and then to the most badly affected areas of the country.

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The massive 8.0 magnitude tremor struck Peru on August 15 leaving more than 500 people dead and thousands homeless in the Ica region south of the capital. Rescue efforts were continuing, but officials said the chances of finding further survivors were very small. In towns such as Pisco, long groups continued to form waiting for clean water, food, clothing and shelter.

JICA has sent emergency assistance worldwide in recent months to help stricken communities overcome immediate shortages and begin to rebuild, including to the Solomon Islands, Myanmar and Uruguay. If necessary, Japan also sends rescue teams including doctors, nurses and other specialists to stricken areas as part of a well-established system called Japan Disaster Relief (JDR).