Colombia needs to quickly implement reconstruction works to prepare for the upcoming rainy season, which is expected to be more destructive than the last, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos warned Sunday.
The president called for all Colombian governors and mayors to “please run these works that are already designed and approved for Colombia Humanitaria,” at the opening of the Walk for Solidarity event in Bogota.
“These works, these small works, more than 3,000 have been approved, must be implemented to mitigate the negative effect off the wet season coming our way,” he said.
The country has not yet recovered from the destruction left by its worst winter in recent history, but forecasters at the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) have warned that the upcoming season may be even more severe.
Earlier this month, the IDEAM director advised the Colombian government and local emergency committees to strengthen disaster prevention plans.
“It is unfortunately coming to us, according to IDEAM, another wetter, rainier winter than usual, and that rain is going to come upon a situation that is not yet standardized,” Santos said.
The last rainy season that hit Colombia in 2010 and 2011 killed more than 300 Colombians and left more than two million people homeless.