Peru's Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry announced the Government has set aside S/.200 million (about US$62.89 million) to execute prevention works aimed at facing El Niño climate phenomenon.
The resources derive from the S/.150 million (about US$47.16 million) fund transferred by the Finance Ministry in favor of the Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry.
Likewise, the portfolio already counts on a S/.50 million (about US$15.72 million) budget to continue carrying out prevention works, such as desilting river canals and drains, which would lead to avoiding damages.
By the end of August, the ENFEN Committee (National Entity in charge of monitoring and designing measures to reduce the El Niño Phenomenon impact) will issue a report on El Niño's magnitude, Agriculture Minister Juan Manuel Benites affirmed.
By virtue of an Emergency Declaration and due to phenomenon's presence in the country, the central, regional and local governments will adapt their budgets and corresponding activities to be prepared for it.
"There is a multisectoral team working strongly on an action plan, which will also involve regional and local governments [...]," he pointed out.
"[...] at the national level, we are currently in the activity consolidation phase and counting on the participation of the Transport and Communications Ministry, in order to execute the road protection [projects]," Minister Benites indicated.
Regional and local authorities are included in the 'first-efforts' scheme, so they will identify other activities that could be included in this plan of action with the aim of putting a joint State-run action in place.
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