The City of San Antonio today promised a 'compassionate and humanitarian' response to this week's deadly earthquake in Mexico City, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
"The tragedy in Mexico City and surrounding areas hits close to home, because for so many of our residents, Mexico is an extension of home," Mayor Nirenberg said.
County Judge Nelson Wolff says it is appropriate for San Antonio to lead the response to the Mexico City quake, which killed nearly 250 people and devastated huge sections of the capital city.
"San Antonio wants to stand up and do everything that we can, to make sure that we are responding in the appropriate way to the tragedy that has hit Mexico City and the surrounding areas," he said.
Wolff said University Health Systems has already pledged medical supplies, and there have been offerings of money and construction assistance which have been funneled through the Mexican Consulate.
Ambassador Reyna Torres, the Mexican Consul General in San Antonio, said the need will continue for some time."
The needs are not only for the immediate term but also for the long term, so there will be many opportunities for the city, the county, and people across the United States to help," she said.
Officials said the offers of assistance will be routed through the Consulate, which will arrange transportation if necessary.