announced on Wednesday the development of a roadmap with United States aid agencies to address the effects that El Niño may cause in Peru.
The Peruvian government official attended a joint press conference in Lima, alongside U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro.
At this event, the Cabinet member described as successful the meeting held in Miami, Florida, with the U.S. Southern Command, the Departments of State and War, as well as agencies from that country.
The meeting sought to learn about the needs arising from this climate phenomenon.
"The concrete result is that we are going to develop a roadmap so that all aid arrives at the right time, rather than requesting it after the disaster has already occurred," Espa noted.
"Instead, we will develop this roadmap with the agencies starting now, and in the coming weeks, this aid in the form of equipment and support will arrive for preparedness, mitigation, and response to El Niño," he indicated.
The minister explained that the convergence of Coastal El Niño and Global El Niño is highly likely.
Thus, he said, it is necessary to begin preparing to mount a strong response to prevent loss of life and infrastructure damage.
The Cabinet member also highlighted that this meeting between the U.S. Southern Command and a country was the first of its kind to be held.
The high-ranking official added that other nations viewed it with interest and will try to replicate it in the future.
"We met with all agencies, and Peruvian representatives made a presentation. What we can say is that there is convergence in our assessment and understanding of the needs. We know what the effects of El Niño are and what its consequences will be," he said.
Military hospital
In turn,
United States Ambassador Bernie Navarro described Peru's meeting with the U.S. Southern Command and the topics discussed during it as historic, with the aim of supporting the South American country in the face of the imminent arrival of El Niño.
Similarly, the envoy thanked his country's President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for securing the participation of U.S. aid agencies.
"We are in a better position to combat the effects of El Niño. For example, we are going to bring the USNS Comfort, which is a military vessel and a floating hospital that will come to Peru in February, when the phenomenon is expected to peak," Navarro said.
Moreover, the ambassador announced that they will travel to the northern region of Piura this week, which is expected to be "ground zero" for the problems caused by El Niño.
"We are being very proactive in addressing this problem," he concluded.