Peru accelerates El Niño mitigation works and prevention efforts

Peru's Minister of Labor and Employment Promotion, Juan Sheput, announced that the government is accelerating works to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. The goal is to complete preventative measures, such as the desilting of drains, before the rainy season begins to minimize economic damage.

Sheput highlighted that the government is focusing efforts on high-risk regions, including Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Arequipa, Cusco, and Ica. These activities are being carried out through temporary employment programs, providing participants with a daily wage of S/50 to assist in vulnerable areas.

The minister criticized previous administrations for a lack of preventative action despite warnings of a major climatic event. He emphasized the need for permanent infrastructure, such as the canalization of the Chira River in Piura, to ensure sustainable protection against recurring floods.