Colombian government to rebuild 300 homes destroyed by landslide

Colombian government to rebuild 300 homes destroyed by landslide

2011-04-21 09:32:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

UTICA, COLOMBIA (BNO NEWS) -- Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos promised on Wednesday to finance the rebuilding of 300 homes that were destroyed by a landslide in the Colombian town of Utica, Caracol Radio reported.

Santos said during a visit to the area that the houses will be financed by the national government and built on sites that are not high risk. He added that the local school, which was partially destroyed, would soon be re-opened and that the 160 computers that were destroyed by the flood will be replaced by the Ministry of Education.

The president also pledged to deliver 20 tons of humanitarian aid.

The region has been badly affected by the recent heavy rains and mudslides, which have killed at least 2 people. Almost 240 homes, of which at least 120 are completely destroyed, have been damaged, while 80 per cent of the town's infrastructure has been affected.

The director of the local disaster recovery agency, Jaime Matiz, said they are taking measures to prevent any further landslides. He said the Cudinamarca Office for Prevention and Emergency Response is considering the destruction of a bridge to enable water from Río Negro to flow more freely.

A special committee and the Ministry of Interior are also reviewing the infrastructure of the municipality to determine if it is safe for those who have already been evacuated to return to their homes.

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