Colombia declares economic emergency after deadly earthquake
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced an economic emergency on Wednesday to speed up reconstruction after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake killed at least 265 people and left 496 missing.
"We have 25,872 affected families, 53,816 people, sadly 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and the number of missing has risen alarmingly to 496," De la Espriella said.
The president said the emergency would allow the government to establish a "Miracle Fund" to channel domestic and international resources towards rebuilding hospitals, schools, homes, roads and airports damaged by the earthquake.
"I have decided to make use of the economic emergency, a mechanism provided for by our Constitution so that we can face this crisis as appropriate," he said.
De la Espriella said the disaster had struck at a particularly difficult time for Colombia's public finances, citing the country's high level of debt.
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The government is also preparing temporary assistance for those affected, including rent subsidies, tax and financial relief, support with utility bills and aid for small businesses and traders.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
