On October 13, the U.S. government donated search and rescue equipment to the Peruvian Air Force (FAP, in Spanish), valued at $2 million.
During the handover ceremony held at Las Palmas Air Base, in Surco, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires in Peru Denison Offutt praised the FAP work that connects remote areas in Peru and provides assistance during emergencies and natural disasters. “We know that this donation will be very useful in the 50 rescue operations on average that the FAP conducts each year throughout the country,” Offutt said.
Peruvian Minister of Defense Jorge Chávez Cresta, who attended the handover ceremony, said that the donation would consolidate not only bilateral relations but also the tasks that FAP units carry out.
“This type of action strengthens capabilities at all levels in our Armed Forces and personnel, in terms of increasing our assistance in emergencies and in each event in the fight against the pandemic,” Chávez Cresta said.
“We will continue working together to be able to face global and regional threats, as well as strengthening the relationship between the two nations. This search and rescue equipment will allow us to continue saving lives,” he added.
The donation consists of thousands of different tools and equipment, which will be allocated to the special forces deployed throughout the Peruvian territory for rescue work and strategic operations, the Peruvian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The donated equipment includes lowering devices, GPS systems, medium-sized chainsaws, strobe lights, rechargeable halogen headlights, as well as first aid backpacks, stretchers to transport the injured, thermal blankets, defibrillators, life jackets, and much more.
The U.S. government has contributed more than $20 million to Peru to help combat COVID-19, with numerous donations including isolation cabins to treat COVID-19 patients, personal protective equipment, and state-of-the-art ventilators, among other contributions, the U.S. Embassy in Peru said on its website.
