United States Ambassador to Peru Brian A. Nichols on Thursday handed over Lima's Surco district Mayor Roberto Gomez security equipment valued at US$15,000 for a recently-implemented fire station.
The donation —8 fire suits and 13 pairs of boots— was made under the U.S. Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP).
Since 2006, HAP has invested close to US$40 million in various aid operations. These include the construction, equipping and staff-training of Regional Emergency Operation Centers in 13 Peruvian regions, as well as the donation of emergency response mobile equipment.
With said support, the United States hopes to strengthen Peru's capacity to satisfy vulnerable populations' need for government services and humanitarian aid.
HAP is a set of humanitarian support projects developed by Peru and the United States at the level of ministries, local and regional governments, as well as the National Civil Defense Institute (Indeci).
The U.S. diplomat described the program as articulated efforts between two friend nations.
"It [HAP] shows the close cooperation ties binding our two countries, as well as the United States' commitment to working with Peru in promoting development centered on social inclusion, better access to services and preparedness to any contingency, like emergencies and natural disasters," he pointed out.
(END) NDP/DHT/MVB