on Tuesday presented the National El Niño Phenomenon Risk Management Commission, which will help speed up decision-making and coordinate government action in response to rainfall, droughts, and other emergencies that could occur in 2026 and 2027.
"We are creating the risk management commission in preparation for El Niño. The commission will be led by the Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Marco Vinelli), together with the Ministers of Economy and Finance (Elmer Cuba), Defense (Rafael Belaunde), and Housing (Mauricio Arnillas), as well as the heads of the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci) and the National Water Authority (ANA)," Fujimori stated.
"The commission seeks to make decisions rapidly and bring together all the relevant authorities. What is important here is to work swiftly and efficiently and be prepared," she added from the banks of Reque River.
Establishment
The commission, to be formally established through a supreme resolution, will serve as the political decision-making and strategic coordination body for public and private interventions carried out during the preparation and response stages in the face of El Niño.
It is made up of the Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, who will chair it; the ministers of Defense, Economy and Finance, and Housing, Construction and Sanitation; as well as the heads of Indeci and the National Water Authority, with the latter serving as technical secretary.
The working group will address the effects of drought in the country's southern and Andean areas as well.
For this purpose, the needs of small-scale producers will be addressed through the provision of food and vaccines for livestock, as well as the construction of small reservoirs and watering troughs.
At another point, the Head of State said the relevant authorities will be convened in each region, praising the work being carried out by Lambayeque Regional Governor Jorge Perez.
Additionally, the top official noted a total of 80 critical points had been identified in the region, which will be addressed jointly by the special commission and the Lambayeque Regional Government.
Resources
The President explained that the participation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance will help facilitate the resources needed to speed up the work, particularly in cases where regional governments have machinery but require funding for fuel and operators.
"The indicators are not encouraging. Therefore, of the 1,900 critical points across Peru, we will prioritize 569. We hope the number of priority points will increase if we achieve greater efficiency, work swiftly, and if the private sector also joins us in providing support," she said.
In this regard, the Head of State called on governors and mayors to work together, setting aside political differences in order to speed up the clearing of riverbeds and desilting work.
"We are not here to focus on political differences or affiliations. I know we are in an electoral process, but we must remain focused on clearing riverbeds and carrying out desilting work. The priority is to protect the lives of citizens and our agriculture as well," Fujimori emphasized.
As part of its preparedness measures, the Government is equipping warehouses with food, water pumps, and emergency boats to assist the population in the event of possible floods and other emergencies.
Commission
Later, Agrarian Development and Irrigation Minister Marco Vinelli said the commission has already identified critical points nationwide, many of which are being addressed through riverbed clearing and desilting.
The Cabinet member noted that the work has already begun in Piura and Lambayeque regions. It will then continue in Tumbes, Ancash, Lima, Ica, Arequipa, and La Libertad.
"We also need to assess the impact of drought in the southern and Andean parts of the country, and the commission will address these needs. It is a commission that will make swift decisions on the measures that need to be taken to prepare for El Niño," he stated.
In turn, Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde said the Army's 51st Engineering Battalion will be deployed in Piura, while the Amazonas Battalion will be sent there as well.
Lastly, Economy and Finance Minister Elmer Cuba assured reporters that the necessary efforts are being made to address El Niño.
(END) JCC/MVB