The Colombian Government reserved US$50 million to help victims of
heavy rains and floods that are destroying lands and homes in large
parts of the country.
Interior and Justice Minister Fabio Valencia Cossio declared a national emergency to have access to the funds.
The rainy season, that started less than a month ago, has already cost the lives of 23 Colombians and has forced more than 40,000 people to leave their homes.
The Minister called on the country’s departmental governments to come up with plans to deal with the rains and floods. “With the increase of rains we’ve seen recently, we need to be ready for large operations,” he told W Radio Wednesday.
“Mayors and Governors are obliged to keep the Interior and Justice Ministry informed about the prevention mechanisms of each particular region and the problems that may occur because of the rainy season,” he added.