Peruvian Production Minister Bruno Giuffra on Monday morning sent off BAP Tacna, a national Navy ship carrying 500 tons of relief supplies bound for northern Piura, the country's worst-hit region.
Such aid —provided by fellow citizens at local collection sites— will be delivered to victims of 'Coastal El Niño' weather pattern, which has been hitting several regions with heavy rainfall, landslides and floods in recent weeks.
The government official also supervised the ship's loading operations, carried out on Sunday morning by 300 Navy Academy cadets at Callao's Naval Base.
Giuffra also reiterated the call on all Peruvians to carry on taking donations to the five major aid collection points set up in Lima: Jockey Plaza Shopping center (Surco district), Dibos Coliseum (San Borja), National Sports Village-Videna (San Luis), MegaPlaza Shopping Center (Independencia) and Government Palace (Lima's downtown).
"Basic aid required is water, non-perishable food in good condition, clothing and personal hygiene items. We need all possible contribution," he concluded.
In this sense, the Peruvian Government issued a Ministerial Resolution authorizing —as an exceptional measure— fishing companies to offer cabotage services between Callao and northern ports to transport humanitarian aid.
The ceremony also saw the presence of Navy high-ranking officers and private sector representatives.
(END) CNA/DHT/MVB