Bogotá (Colombia), 11 Aug. (LaPresse/AP) – Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella travelled to Quibdo, the capital of Chocó and the epicentre of the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that shook the country, and stated that he had mobilised “the entire military and police apparatus” to respond, deploying engineers, rescue workers and search dogs. He also announced rent subsidies for those whose homes have been damaged, whilst repairs are carried out. Chocó, the region surrounding the earthquake’s epicentre, is one of Colombia’s poorest and most neglected regions, often the scene of conflicts between armed groups. Much of the department is accessible only by boat, through the jungle or by air. “Chocó will never again be the island of the forgotten,” the president assured. The earthquake represents the first major test for De la Espriella, who was sworn in on Friday.
Colombia earthquake: President De la Espriella visits the epicentre
Bogotá (Colombia), 11 Aug. (LaPresse/AP) – Colombian President Abelardo De la Espriella travelled to Quibdo, the capital of Chocó and the epicentre of the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that shook the country, and stated that he had mobilised “the entire military and police apparatus” to respond, deploying engineers, rescue workers and search dogs. He also announced rent subsidies for those whose homes have been damaged, whilst repairs are carried out. Chocó, the region surrounding the earthquake’s epicentre, is one of Colombia’s poorest and most neglected regions, often the scene of conflicts between armed groups. Much of the department is accessible only by boat, through the jungle or by air. “Chocó will never again be the island of the forgotten,” the president assured. The earthquake represents the first major test for De la Espriella, who was sworn in on Friday.