A UNESCO mission currently visiting northern Trujillo city underlined preventive works carried out to protect Chan Chan archaeological complex from rains.
The delegation verified said measures mitigated the impacts of "Coastal El Niño" phenomenon disasters earlier this year.
"We are pleased to see, and we would like to congratulate Chan Chan's management on the fact that, despite the scale of the disaster, the damage has been minimal," UNESCO mission representative Enrique Lopez-Hurtado affirmed.
"That does not mean further works are not required. It's obviously a learning curve, one that is going up favoring prevention works, which we are glad to see are taking place," he added.
UNESCO's mission has been touring Peruvian archaeological sites in disaster-stricken areas since May 15 to assess their impacts and give recommendations accordingly.
"This mission is the result of joint efforts between UNESCO and the Peruvian State to establish post-disaster assessment measures and rapid-implementation recommendations […]," the Culture Sector coordinator explained.
"The idea is to determine the amount of money required for prevention and damage restoration works in the most technical possible way."
La Libertad's Decentralized Culture Directorate Head Maria Elena Cordova also underscored the role of prevention works at the mud citadel.
"I would like to highlight UNESCO representative's message […]. Once again, this reiterates the fundamental role of prevention in cultural heritage preservation […]," she affirmed.
Prevention works carried out at Chan Chan in 2014-2016 include the installation of over 1,550 m2 of geoblock pavers, as well as a protective cover over 4,075 m2.
UNESCO mission
Following inspections, the UNESCO delegation will recommend a set of further actions to prevent impacts of future natural disasters.
In this sense, Lopez-Hurtado said the mission will help determine the measures and budget required to implement said actions.
Diagnosis costs are borne by UNESCO and Peru's Culture Ministry.
The team also visited Huaca de La Luna temple, Huanchaco totora reeds and Jequetepeque Valley.
In addition, UNESCO experts assessed damage on churches and properties in Trujillo.
(END) LPZ/MAO/DHT/MVB