Andina

Peru: Latest measures taken by Government to cope with rain emergency

Photo: ANDINA/Vidal Tarqui

Photo: ANDINA/Vidal Tarqui

20:00 | Lima, Mar. 15.

After Cyclone Yaku made its way through the Peruvian coast and in response to the state of emergency declared in various districts and provinces due to heavy rains, the Government has adopted five new measures to mitigate the impact of this natural phenomenon.

See below the details of the actions that the Executive Branch will undertake in the coming days after the Council of Ministers session held on Wednesday.

1. Municipalities must designate a person in charge of civil defense

The President of the Republic Dina Boluarte announced that every municipality will have a person in charge of civil defense to rely on an expert on natural phenomena or emergencies.

"This experience has taught us that those who are trained at municipalities to deal with these types of emergencies end up dismissed by the new administration, and all the training that Indeci gives them is of little or no use in an emergency situation," she explained.

Thus, the official shall join the municipality on a permanent basis, regardless of whether a new administration takes office.

"The individuals that are trained at municipalities in order to technically attend to an emergency situation shall be accredited by Indeci and stay at those municipalities," Mrs. Boluarte stated.

2. New social housing program

The Head of State announced that the Government will create a social housing program in addition to Techo Propio (Own Roof) following the large number of landslide victims.

"We have noticed that several families have been left without homes, and we also have to respond to that," she noted.

3. State of emergency in southern Lima

The Executive Branch will declare a state of emergency in the districts of Punta Hermosa, San Bartolo, and Pucusana, as previously announced by Prime Minister Alberto Otarola.

This measure will allow mayors of said districts to make budgetary changes and other actions in order to protect their neighbors.

4. Purchase of helicopters

The dignitary remarked that the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) will allocate financial resources to the Ministry of Defense (Mindef), so that helicopters can be purchased and existing ones can be maintained.

5. Punche Peru Solidario program

The Punche Peru Solidario program will be launched on Friday to encourage private sector companies to join a national crusade in favor of the regions that have been affected by rains.

"The private sector will express its support, and we will launch a nationwide crusade to support the affected regions," she added.

(END) GDS/CVC/RMB/MVB

Published: 3/15/2023