Peru's new president issues national call for reconstruction

LIMA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Peru's new President, Martin Vizcarra, on Tuesday made a national call for the country to come together to rebuild after torrential rains last year wiped out infrastructure and homes.

"I need your help," the president told a crowd in the northern region of Piura, trying to establish timelines for reconstruction efforts.

Vizcarra, who took office on Friday after his predecessor resigned in the face of corruption charges, said that his government had begun working with enthusiasm and would continue to do so.

"There is a commitment from the current government to work with a greater emphasis on reconstruction. However, we cannot create expectations of everything that will happen in the short-term, we must create timelines," he said.

Last year, Peru has been lashed by torrential rains sparked by the Coastal El Nino phenomenon, which has triggered heavy flooding and mudslides.

Vizcarra began his work in Piura, one of the regions most affected by El Nino. Local inhabitants have been complaining that, after more than a year, the destruction remains evident.

"One of the priorities of the government is to place emphasis on reconstruction. For this, we have to be on the ground...to see what has been done well, what has been done badly," he said. Enditem