SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -- President Abel Pacheco declared a national emergency in Costa Rica on Tuesday, a move that frees up government funds for hundreds of families driven from their homes by a strong earthquake that rattled the country last weekend.

The 6.2-magnitude temblor was blamed in the deaths of eight people and damaged or destroyed more than 500 homes. Advertisement

Pacheco said the declaration would eliminate bureaucratic red tape so that the government could get relief funds immediately to the people and projects that need it.

The emergency designation opens up immediate access to $5.5 million for repairing roads, hospitals and housing, said Diego Morales, president of the National Emergencies Commission.