The Executive Branch on Monday issued a supreme decree declaring a 60-day state of emergency in five districts of Junin region that were affected by the 5.1-magnitude earthquake that struck this part of the country in recent hours.
The measure was published in a special edition of the Official Gazette El Peruano's Legal Regulations bulletin and had previously been announced by President Jose Maria Balcazar.
The districts placed under the state of emergency are Chongos Bajo and San Juan de Iscos, in Chupaca province, as well as Chupuro, Viques, and Huacrapuquio, in Huancayo province.
The measure takes effect today, July 20. It aims to facilitate the implementation of the exceptional, immediate, as well as necessary response and rehabilitation measures and actions required.
These measures will be implemented by Junin Region Government and the affected local governments, in technical coordination with and under the supervision of the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci), with the participation of various ministries.
The decree also specifies the goods and services that may be donated under the provisions of Article 11 of Law No. 30498, the law that promotes food donations and facilitates the transportation of donations in natural disaster situations.
Finally, the document specifies that the measures provided for therein will be financed from the institutional budgets of the entities involved, without requiring additional resources from the public treasury.
President announces measure
Earlier, the president announced that this supreme decree would be issued to step up assistance for families affected by the earthquakes in Junin and address the needs arising in the most remote districts and villages.
"We are signing an emergency decree immediately, and we have all the necessary logistics in the area. We have not forgotten our brothers and sisters in Junin," he said in an interview with Exitosa radio.
The Head of State reaffirmed that assisting Junin is a priority for the Government, adding that the emergency decree will strengthen the State's emergency response capacity.
He said the Government immediately ordered the deployment of the ministers of Housing, Transportation and Communications, Health, Education, and Labor, who remain in Junin to coordinate assistance for affected families and the delivery of food supplies.
"More tents and temporary housing units will arrive as well," Balcazar announced.
The top official explained that the extent of the affected area and the distance between some districts and villages had hampered the initial response.
The president stated that the Executive Branch will continue delivering aid until it reaches all communities in need.
Moreover, he highlighted that the Pension 65 program has been reactivated to support vulnerable people.
The president also reported that 100 Army soldiers had arrived in the region to assist with rescue efforts.
He added that heavy machinery from the Transportation sector was already on site to clear debris and restore damaged roads.
"Last night was not enough to reach everyone. Some people spent the night outdoors and endured the bitter cold. However, Indeci and the ministers in charge are there, and the machinery has already arrived to carry out debris removal. All these actions are being carried out as they should," he stated.
(END) MCA/CVC/MVB
Publicado: 20/7/2026