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Colombia President Announces Aid for Earthquake Victims in Cali

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced new aid for families affected by an August 10 earthquake in Cali.
  • Aid includes a three-month rent subsidy, construction materials for damaged homes, and a construction materials bank.
  • The earthquake, magnitude 7.4, caused 154 fatalities in Cali and affected approximately 12,000 buildings.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has pledged continued support for families devastated by the August 10 earthquake in Cali, the nation's hardest-hit city. "To the victims, I want to tell you that you are not alone, we will continue to help you," the president stated, emphasizing that aid would reach those affected directly, without intermediaries.

To the victims, I want to tell you that you are not alone, we will continue to help you. The money will arrive directly to those affected, there are no intermediaries here, no scales. A tragedy of this magnitude cannot become an opportunity to play politics or to achieve benefits.

— Abelardo de la EspriellaPresident of Colombia announcing new aid for earthquake victims.

The president's visit to Cali included a memorial mass for the 154 victims and the delivery of heavy machinery and construction materials to local authorities. He announced a rent subsidy of 1,050,000 pesos (about $327) for three months, with a possible three-month extension, for eligible families registered in the Single Registry of Emergency Families (RUFE).

Families whose homes were destroyed or declared uninhabitable will receive financial support. Those with damaged but still habitable properties will get repair kits. A construction materials bank and technical evaluation teams have been established in Valle del Cauca, Cali's department, to assist with repairs and assessments.

I know what it means to lose a house: memories, the effort of a lifetime, and family dreams are left behind. But even though the walls have crumbled, the home and courage of the people of Pereira remain standing, and I am here to rescue them.

— Abelardo de la EspriellaPresident of Colombia reflecting on the impact of losing a home.

Additionally, 20 construction bonds will be issued, and a construction company has donated four fully furnished apartments to families who lost their homes. The earthquake, a magnitude 7.4 event, resulted in 331 deaths and 4,449 injuries nationwide, with Cali bearing the brunt of the destruction. Mayor Alejandro Éder described the recovery as a long-term marathon, estimating it will take at least three years, with around 12,000 buildings reported affected.

This is a marathon that will last at least three years.

— Alejandro ÉderMayor of Cali describing the long-term recovery process.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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