The President of the Republic, Keiko Fujimori, oversaw the deployment of the B.A.P. Paita to northern Peru on Monday, as part of the Government's response efforts to address the El Niño phenomenon.
The Head of State highlighted the multipurpose capabilities of the Peruvian Navy vessel, which will head to Paita.
The top official noted that it is equipped with a field hospital, hospital beds, as well as other equipment, such as Zodiac-type boats, needed to respond to potential emergencies.
"This vessel is heading to Paita. It is a multipurpose vessel that can even be used to perform surgical procedures. It has 20 hospital beds. As you can see, these vessels are equipped with the well-known Zodiac boats, which will enable them to provide rapid assistance to the population in the event of flooding," she explained.
The Head of State underscored that more than 230 specialized personnel are on board the B.A.P. Paita.
"They are traveling there and will remain in the area for 30 days. There is a field hospital and a helicopter as well. Much of the equipment being transported will remain in the area, but the vessels will continue moving around regularly," she added.
The President recalled that two months ago, she had the honor of serving as the godmother of this large vessel, which is now heading north to assist the population in the event of emergencies caused by the weather phenomenon, "which has arrived and is also gaining considerable strength."
"An enemy that will be difficult and complex to deal with. However, knowing that we have more than 230 trained personnel ready to provide support and humanitarian assistance will bring considerable relief and peace of mind as well," she stated.
The Head of State indicated that El Niño is an enemy that must be confronted not only with strength but also with composure.
"We will do so by land, sea, and air," she pointed out.
More than 7,000 tons of humanitarian aid
At another point, the President reiterated what she had said in her recent assessment of her administration's work.
The Head of State noted that more than 7,000 tons of food and humanitarian aid are being transported and distributed, in addition to desilting work carried out on the main rivers.
"There is coordinated work being carried out by the three levels of government, and I call on the population to help us," Fujimori stated.
"There are different ways to contribute, including, for example, not throwing garbage into rivers that have been cleaned, staying informed, and preparing for emergencies in the event of rainfall," she explained.
Finally, the Head of State thanked the Peruvian Navy for its work, particularly for the bravery, courage, and solidarity demonstrated in its service to the country.
Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde and Navy Commander General Admiral Federico Bravo de Rueda also attended the ceremony.
Five multipurpose vessels
Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde stated that five vessels will be placed at the service of the country to respond to El Niño: the Chimbote, the Talara, the Tacna, the Paita, and the Pisco.
He added that these vessels provide significant capacity to transport and assist affected populations, as well as to resupply, rotate personnel, and provide logistical support.
"The message is that the Peruvian Navy is responding, the Executive Branch is responding, and Peru is responding," the Cabinet member stated.
In turn, Navy General Commander Admiral Federico Bravo de Rueda stated that, under the operations plan, the B.A.P. Paita will be the first vessel to be deployed and will subsequently be relieved by the B.A.P. Pisco in the coming months.
The general commander noted that the B.A.P. Tacna will provide specific support in the northern region.
Bravo de Rueda added that two multipurpose logistics vessels will join the operation and, starting in January, will support smaller vessels.
He specified that all these vessels will serve as the first response to any disaster that may occur in the north.
Specialized equipment
It is worth noting that the five vessels will make it possible to establish a maritime bridge with the capacity to transport up to 6,500 tons of humanitarian aid supplies.
Certain vessels are equipped with hospital beds, operating rooms, and desalination systems to provide medical care and help ensure the supply of potable water.
Likewise, each vessel will be able to transport up to 360 military personnel, including members of the Rapid Disaster Response Companies (CIRD) and personnel specialized in urban search and rescue (USAR), emergency medical care (BMT), and wildfire suppression (BRIF).
They are also equipped with amphibious vehicles, troop transport vehicles, and aircraft to facilitate evacuations and reach out to isolated communities.
To ensure a timely response, the Peruvian Navy is intensifying the training of its Disaster Risk Management brigades. These actions are part of the measures adopted by the Defense sector in response to El Niño.
Publicado: 9/11/2026