Two special congress commissions on Monday approved the state of emergency declared by President Juan Manuel Santos in early December to deal with 2010’s catastrophic rainy season.
According to the president of the House of Representatives, the state of emergency was approved unanimity after making a few minor changes.
Conservative Party Senator Jose Dario Salazar told newspaper El Espectador that the Senate commission “fully supports the measures the government has taken,” but urged the government to act faster to help the hundreds of thousands of victims.
Santos declared the state of emergency on December 7 and extended it for another 20 days on January 6.
The state of emergency allows the government to allocate funds for humanitarian aid and the rebuilding of destroyed homes, dikes and roads.