The Peruvian Congress’ civil defense commission approved a project on Monday to create a national radio frequency to help respond to natural disasters, state news agency Andina reported.
The project will allow authorities to help prepare and inform citizens in order to minimize damage during a natural disaster, the head of the commission, Congressman Luis Gonzales Posada, told Andina. He added that the project was supported unanimously by the commission and by Transportation and Communications Minister Enrique Cornejo.
“The transport minister firmly backed setting up a radio with a national reach for civil defense and the environment, for which they will prepare an agreement between Peruvian radio and television, civil defense and the environment ministry,” said Gonzales Posada.
The radio channel will be used to inform citizens of possible tsunamis, freezing temperatures in Peru’s Andean region, and earthquakes. It is expected to be functioning before 2011.
Peru has experienced a variety of natural disasters since the beginning of 2010. One of the most damaging so far this year has been the torrential rainfall that hit Peru’s southern Andean region in January and February.
The rains caused floods and mudslides that destroyed crops, damaged highways and washed away the railway into the country’s sacred Inca citadel and top tourist attraction, Machu Picchu.
