00:00Also in Colombia, residents of Altos de Santa Elena in Cali remain outdoors without official
00:05answers about the future of their homes.
00:08The area was affected by the earthquake that destroyed the country in August 10.
00:11Telesur went there and recorded the following story.
00:14Milton Henao has the details.
00:19In Cali's hillside area known as Altos de Santa Elena, the streets have become shelters
00:24for thousands of residents.
00:25They sleep outdoors, exposed to the elements, as they wait for state aid.
00:30More citizens continue to arrive, including communities belonging to the indigenous Minga
00:35from Cauca, who have joined efforts to remove debris and provide relief to these families.
00:43Our organization, CRIC, has always been defined first by our humanitarian responsibility.
00:50Our process is based not only on political action, but also on social action.
00:56In that sense, we are currently providing support here while acknowledging our participation
01:00in the four-day Minga for Life humanitarian effort.
01:06As time passes, health problems begin to emerge.
01:10Those who endure high temperatures day and night in these makeshift shelters, especially
01:15the elderly, children and pregnant women, are developing illnesses.
01:23We have received some health care, but not 100 percent, especially for pregnant women
01:27and young children.
01:29There is a newborn who has had problems with conjunctivitis.
01:34We don't have access to the necessary medication or proper assistance.
01:37As you can see, there is a health brigade here, but they are treating people on the floor.
01:41We don't have a stretcher.
01:45One of the biggest concerns remains unanswered.
01:48What will happen to their homes next?
01:50The lack of a state response only generates more questions.
01:58The community is concerned about what will happen.
02:01For example, if my building collapses, will we be relocated to the same neighborhood?
02:04Will it be in the same place?
02:06Will they tear it down and rebuild?
02:07Will we continue to live in the same buildings that are going to be demolished?
02:10We don't know anything, and that is our concern.
02:16Meanwhile, the sites where rescue operations are being carried out are beginning to close
02:20their operations.
02:22The authorities and citizens now face the challenge of addressing the humanitarian crisis
02:26and rebuilding the city, which will take at least two to three years.
Comments