The President of the Republic Martin Vizcarra on Friday announced that the
"In a situation like the current one, there is a greater requirement, and we have arranged for S/127 million (about US$36.80 million) of the budget —which is managed by municipalities in order to buy food— to be increased by 50% (...)," he expressed.
Likewise, the top official announced that S/17 million (about US$4.92 million) will be allocated to municipalities, so that hygiene kits are delivered to soup kitchens.
"It is essential to feed the most vulnerable people. Thus, soup kitchens will have priority as well as the budget they require, since they are allies of the Government by assisting vulnerable people," he said.
The statesman noted that there are 13,664 soup kitchens nationwide, most of which stopped their activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although some
—such as the one located in Carabayllo district— continued with their activities abiding by the protective measures.
"But we need to activate all of them because we must guarantee people's food. Besides, 700,000 people are served by soup kitchens nationwide," he underlined.
The statesman added that —of the 13,664 soup kitchens— 3,000 are fully operational and complying with the respective safety protocols. This amount is expected to climb to 6,000 by the end of June.
Lastly, he projected that all of them should operate in July.
Friday marks the eighty-ninth day of mandatory social isolation in Peru.