HAVANA - The Cuban government sent 17 tons of medicines to the victims of the rains in Colombia, and offered medical and rescue workers to Japan hit by a major earthquake and tsunami, official media reported on Tuesday.

The state agency Prensa Latina said that the medicines and some disposable materials were transported from Havana to Bogota by the airline Cubana de Aviacion.

Prensa Latina said the grant seeks to "support the efforts that the Colombian Government is taking to alleviate the severe damage caused by the recent rainy season."

The donation will officially handed over to the first lady, Maria Clemencia Rodriguez, in a meeting to be held shortly, Cuban diplomatic sources said.

Also the official agency AIN said that Cuban ambassador in Tokyo, Jose Fernandez de Cossio, said "the Japanese government acknowledged Cuba's willingness to provide rescue and medical aid."

Cubans remain alert and ready to support in any necessary way to the Japanese people, the ambassador said.

The rains in Colombia since last year left over 300 dead and 2.2 million homeless, while the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last Friday caused over 6,400 deaths and damages in local nuclear power plants.