Three months after 7.5M earthquake struck Colombia, “reconstruction hasn’t begun”
Human rights officials warned on Tuesday that the reconstruction of west Colombia, which was partially destroyed by an August 10 earthquake, fails to show progress. In a statement, the Ombudsman’s Office warned that “difficulties persist in providing assistance to and supporting the recovery of affected communities, particularly with regard to housing, access to essential services, […] The post…
Three months after a 7.5M earthquake struck parts of Colombia, reconstruction efforts have yet to commence, according to human rights officials. The Ombudsman's Office expressed concern over the lack of progress in assisting affected communities, particularly in terms of housing, access to essential services, and funding for response measures.
The city of Pereira, which bore the brunt of the disaster, remains without an outline for post-earthquake rebuilding, with no shelters or housing alternatives established for those displaced by the disaster. Despite promises of rent assistance, many residents have yet to receive the stipend, with some individuals reporting they received only a fraction of the promised amount.
A "Miracle Fund" has been established, but its progress remains unclear, with few tangible signs of improvement. Furthermore, it has come to light that several departments, including those not directly affected by the earthquake, have falsely claimed damages in order to receive emergency funds, raising questions about the transparency and efficacy of the reconstruction process.
Local governments and representatives have voiced their concerns, demanding better oversight and accountability from the government in addressing the needs of the affected population.
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