The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) of Colombia has updated this Wednesday the balance of the strong earthquake of magnitude 7.4 that shook the central and western area of the country a week ago, placing the total number of deceased persons at 319.
The most recent report from the agency also estimates 4,469 injured and maintains the number of missing persons at 260, while 364 people have been located alive after search and rescue efforts.
Regarding material damages, the UNGRD details that more than 30,800 homes have been completely destroyed and nearly 152,000 present various types of damage, in addition to the collapse of more than 300 buildings.
Given the seriousness of the situation, the Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, has signed this Wednesday a decree of economic, social, and ecological emergency with the aim of assisting the affected and initiating the reconstruction of the provinces hit by the earthquake.
During his intervention, the president emphasized that "It is not just about rebuilding homes, but about recovering businesses and essential public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and indispensable works for the life of the communities," according to statements broadcast by Radio Caracol.
De la Espriella has also warned that the country is facing "an extraordinarily difficult fiscal reality," and has lamented that, "under normal financial conditions, a good part of the immediate effects of a tragedy of this magnitude could be faced using the ordinary instruments of the State and increasing appropriations to the General Budget of the Nation."