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Colombia Begins Reconstruction After August 10 Quake

The government has shifted from emergency relief to a reconstruction phase led by a new public–private fund.

Overview

  • The government announced the start of reconstruction on Monday and has begun delivering 4,480 tonnes of repair materials while launching assisted self‑reconstruction and engineer support for damaged homes.
  • A three‑month cash subsidy of 875,452 pesos per month will start on August 26 for households whose homes were destroyed or declared uninhabitable.
  • Colombia estimates rebuilding will cost about 30 trillion pesos and created the Fondo Milagro, managed by businessman Jaime Uribe, with private partners including Grupo Argos pledging rapid‑build housing.
  • Venezuela, two months after June 24’s double quakes, updated its official toll to 6,509 deaths and reported 600,790 tonnes of debris removed (about 28%) while signing a law to accelerate housing though only 335 new homes have been delivered so far.
  • Officials and aid groups warn clearance and reconstruction will take many months to a year, with major impacts on shelter, schools and services and risks that slow rebuilding could weigh on economic recovery.