Relief workers have installed 31 field camps to house survivors of the quake which hit Italy's central Abruzzo region on Monday, Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday.
After visiting the stricken areas, the premier told reporters that 2,962 tents had been put up to house 17,772 people.
Another 4,000 tents are available if needed, he said.
''We're okay on equipment,'' said Berlusconi, adding that 24 field kitchens and 14 first-aid centres had been intalled to help survivors.
The premier said the government would also pay costs for the lodging of evacuees in hotels along Abruzzo's Adriatic coastline.
Berlusconi has repeatedly urged families to move into the hotels, saying they would be better off than sleeping in tents.
However, many of the homeless want to stay in the area, concerned about possible looting in their abandoned homes.
