14:53 | Huanuco (Huanuco region), May. 17.
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra referred to the 5.5 magnitude quake that struck Lima and Cañete early on Thursday morning, stressing the need to foster a prevention-based culture across the country in a bid to be prepared for similar events in the future.
The Head of State affirmed telluric movements —like the one felt this morning— are characteristic of a seismic zone like Peru, which is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire —known for its seismic and volcanic activity along the territories it covers.
"We are aware the country is located in a seismic zone (…). We must be prepared at home, at our workplaces, at schools, at universities, and in hospitals. We all should have a prevention culture," he expressed.
In his view, such preventive culture must be fostered by involving the entire society in order to keep in mind —at all times— that we live in a seismic area.
In this sense, Mr. Vizcarra recalled that a
national earthquake drill will take place on May 31, as a way to remember the 1970 earthquake that covered the whole city of Yungay (Ancash region), claiming more than 70,000 lives.
The dignitary called on the population to take the drill seriously since a
large-scale earthquake can strike any time, and "we must be prepared for that."
He went on to add that Defense Minister Jose Huerta and National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) Head Jorge Chavez will attend the next Council of Ministers session to explain the dynamics of prevention-related investments.
"Peru is a wonderful nation, but it is exposed to different natural hazards like
El Niño,
cold spells, and floods, so we need to be prepared. That's why we requested Indeci to join the Council of Ministers session next week," Mr. Vizcarra pointed out.
(END) MVF/CCR/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/17/2018