Short answer. In Peru, each emergency service has its own number. The main ones are police 105, fire brigade 116, Civil Defence 115 and SAMU medical emergencies 106 1. After a disaster, Línea 119 lets you record a voice message that your relatives can listen to 2. INDECI coordinates the response through the National Emergency Operations Centre (COEN) 3.
Which numbers should I know in Peru?
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police (Central policial) | 105 |
| Fire brigade (Bomberos) | 116 |
| Civil Defence (Defensa Civil) | 115 |
| SAMU medical emergencies | 106 |
| EsSalud ambulances in Lima | 117 |
| Infosalud | 113 |
| Highway police | 110 |
| Family and sexual violence | 100 |
| Red Cross | 01 266 0481 |
| Emergency voice mailbox (MTC) | 119 |
Sources: Presidency of the Council of Ministers 1; Ministry of Transport and Communications for 119 2.
Write these numbers in the notebook of your emergency backpack: INDECI's Survival Combo includes "a notebook with emergency numbers" (see the kit list).
How does Línea 119 work?
Línea 119 is a free voice mailbox run by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC), available 24 hours 2. It is meant for earthquakes and other emergencies:
- If you are in the affected area, dial 119, option 1, and record a message.
- Your relatives dial 119, option 2, followed by your phone number, to listen to it. For a landline, include the area code.
Agree with your family in advance which number each person will use. Our family plan guide covers communication plans.
Which agencies should I know?
| Agency | Role | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (INDECI) | Civil defence, preparedness, SISMATE alerts, emergency response through the COEN | https://www.gob.pe/indeci |
| Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) | Seismic and volcanic monitoring, SASPe sirens with INDECI | https://www.gob.pe/igp |
| Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones (MTC) | SISMATE (built by the MTC), Línea 119 | https://www.gob.pe/mtc |
| Instituto Peruano de Energía Nuclear (IPEN) | Radiological and nuclear emergency plan | https://www.gob.pe/ipen |
Sources: 123. For how alerts reach you, see our Peru alerts page.
Who coordinates the response to a disaster?
INDECI, through the National Emergency Operations Centre (COEN). For tsunamis, warnings are issued by the Navy's hydrography directorate (DIHIDRONAV) and relayed by INDECI 3. Follow the instructions of INDECI and your municipality.
Frequently asked questions
Does 911 or 112 work in Peru?
The official list we used gives separate numbers for each service, such as 105 for police and 116 for the fire brigade 1. Use those numbers.
Who do I call for an ambulance?
SAMU on 106 for medical emergencies; in Lima, EsSalud ambulances are on 117 1.
How can I tell my family I am safe after an earthquake?
Record a message on Línea 119, option 1; they listen with option 2 and your number 2.
What is number 115 for?
Civil Defence (Defensa Civil) 1.
Sources
- Presidencia del Consejo de Ministros (PCM) — Teléfonos de emergencia — https://www.gob.pe/547-telefonos-de-emergencia (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones (MTC) — MTC recuerda a la ciudadanía el uso de la Línea 119 ante sismos y otras emergencias — https://www.gob.pe/institucion/mtc/noticias/1427554-mtc-recuerda-a-la-ciudadania-el-uso-de-la-linea-119-ante-sismos-y-otras-emergencias (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (INDECI) — INDECI brinda recomendaciones ante alerta de tsunami para el litoral peruano — https://www.gob.pe/institucion/indeci/noticias/1217539-indeci-brinda-recomendaciones-ante-alerta-de-tsunami-para-el-litoral-peruano (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Peru, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Presidencia del Consejo de Ministros (PCM) · Teléfonos de emergencia checked 2026-10-20
- Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones (MTC) · MTC recuerda a la ciudadanía el uso de la Línea 119 ante sismos y otras emergencias checked 2026-10-20
- Instituto Nacional de Defensa Civil (INDECI) · INDECI brinda recomendaciones ante alerta de tsunami para el litoral peruano checked 2026-10-20