The United Nations to assist Peru in responding to oil spill

1. The Government of Peru has requested technical support from the United Nations in evaluating the impact and possible response measures to the tragic oil spill brought about by wave activity related to the recent Tonga volcano explosion.

2. The United Nations immediately activated emergency response protocols to provide the Government with the requested support through a mission consisting of environmental disaster experts.

3. The group of experts will be arriving in Peru in coming days to carry out a rapid evaluation of the spill’s social and environmental impact and advise authorities on managing and coordinating response. The mission will also offer recommendations for effective risk reduction actions ahead of any future disasters in the country.

4. The United Nations’ assistance will be coordinated by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Peru and led by the Joint Environment Unit (JEU) comprised of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a group mandated with coordinating international efforts in responding to environmental disasters and their humanitarian impact.

5. The United Nations System in Peru reiterates their commitment to continue supporting the Government and people of Peru during this environmental emergency.

Lima, 21 January 2022