The declaration of emergency due to intense rains in 18 districts of five provinces of Junín has once again highlighted a recurring reality: local governments do not have sufficient budget to respond to the magnitude of the disasters. This was warned by district and provincial mayors, who pointed out that the allocated resources are barely enough for basic care.
In Andamarca, Mayor Julio Cotera stated that his municipality has 30 thousand soles for emergencies. “It is totally insufficient, it is really illusory”he maintained, after detailing that the rains have been affecting roads and agricultural communities.
In the case of Comas, its mayor Abilio Lázaro indicated that this year they have around 40 thousand soles to attend to emergencies. “The budget we have allocated year after year is insufficient given the magnitude and size of the district”he stated.
From the provincial municipality of Concepción, Mayor Wilson Vidal pointed out that this year it is planned to allocate some 400 thousand soles that will only be approved for disaster response. Meanwhile, last year’s budget balance has been used.
In Pichanaqui, the commune’s Communications Office reported that the rains activated three streams in the urban area and damage was reported in rural sectors. For emergency care, the district has an approximate budget of 300 thousand soles.
Photo Courtesy Civil Defense Junín Pampa Hermosa, road release
Faced with this scenario, the Deputy Manager of Civil Defense of the Regional Government, José Vásquez, stated that, although only 18 districts were declared in emergency, the region identified 75 critical points. “If an emergency is not registered in SINPAD, it does not exist for the system”he warned, urging mayors to comply with the registration and activation of protocols. Vásquez also recalled that the supreme decree does not contemplate additional resources from the Central Government.
“The implementation of the actions is financed from the institutional budget of the specifications involved”he noted, adding that the GRJ Civil Defense has this year an opening budget of 2 million 200 thousand soles.
