President-elect pledges priority aid for Casanare flood victims

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has committed to making the flood emergency in Casanare a top priority, promising to send humanitarian aid. During a meeting in Yopal with Governor César Ortiz Zorro and municipal mayors, de la Espriella stated that upon taking office, he would instruct the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management to address the crisis urgently.

The governor detailed the impact of the rainy season on all 19 municipalities, highlighting that the regional budget is insufficient to repair the extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, as well as private property. He requested financial and institutional backing to support those affected.

Wilson Porras, the departmental director of Risk Management, reported that over 6,000 people have been displaced and that the northern part of the department remains on high alert due to the risk of sudden floods. The most affected municipalities are San Luis de Palenque, Nunchía, Trinidad, Paz de Ariporo, and Hato Corozal. Forecasters predict continued rainfall, potentially worsening the situation.

Despite the severe impact, no fatalities have been reported, thanks to the assistance of the Air Force, National Army, and National Police in evacuation efforts. However, some communities have resisted leaving high-risk areas. The declaration of a public calamity is expected to expedite resources for repairs.

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If we do the calculations, our budget would not be enough to recover all the infrastructure we have lost. It is something we have to face, and we have asked for your support. We are doing a diagnosis with all the mayors of the damage we have.