An NGO has warned that 74 projects meant to prepare Colombia for this year’s rainy seasons are incomplete, and face serious delays and implementation issues.
According to a report by Caracol Radio, unfinished works were found in at least 17 departments, with a combined value of over $7 million.
The manager of Humanitarian Colombia, Everardo Murillo, said the works can still be completed without any loss of resources, but it must happen as soon as possible. The current rainy season has already claimed 95 lives and is affecting hundreds of thousands of Colombians. Completion of the works would help alleviate its effects.
The 74 incomplete works were designated to be finished for the previous rainy season which took place in the first half of the year.
Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos said from London Tuesday that the government is doing all they can to cope with the ongoing heavy rains.
“What the government is doing is reacting with all of its capacity to continue opening up the roadways that have been closed, with the top priority of assisting all those that have been made homeless and do not have a roof under which to sleep. So that they don’t suffer from hunger, so that they have at least the minimum help necessary, humanitarian assistance,” said the head of state.
The rainy season has so far caused 475 natural emergencies across the country including floods, mudslides and landslides.