Homeless and facing soaring rents, Colombia quake survivors struggle to rebuild lives one month on

Pereira, September 11 — One month after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the western coffee-growing region of Colombia, many residents of the city still live outdoors or reside in shelters, uncertain about their future. Fanery Andrade, a 41-year-old street vendor and mother of a family of six, has been staying in tents with other displaced families in a park near the ruins of their home.

Andrade claims that she has not yet received government aid, despite promises of rent subsidies worth US$285 for three months. She attributes the high cost of rents to the disaster, as they have skyrocketed. According to Colombia's disaster response agency, the earthquake destroyed over 36,300 homes and led to the deaths of 330 people.

Infrastructure damage is projected to cost $9.5 billion, with reconstruction expected to take years. President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office three days before the disaster, has pledged to provide rent aid, but many who are eligible for it have yet to receive it. Some, like Frania Elena Vasquez, have taken the initiative themselves by returning to work from a parking lot, where they continue to sell their family's candle and disposable utensil business.

Meanwhile, Matias Velez, a 36-year-old nurse who was injured in the quake, relies on his parents for support as he recovers at home using crutches. Despite the challenges, Velez acknowledges that they must start anew.