ACT member, Church World Service (CWS), reports that recovery
efforts continue in the Mexican states of Colima and Jalisco following
the earthquake that struck the Country on January 21. The quake measured
7.8 on the Richter Scale.
According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies (IFCR), it is estimated that 25 people died in the disaster
and 324 were injured. 2005 houses were destroyed and many damaged.
Colima is a predominantly rural state, characterised by many low-income
villages with houses made of adobe. It is reported that primary needs
for food, clothing and shelter of the affected population are being
met by family members and local resources.
CWS reports that as a result of the earthquake, 36 percent of the
population in Colima has suffered from trauma. Colima is a state particularly
vulnerable to natural disasters.
CWS plans to respond to this emergency with their own resources.
Through their local partners they will provide basic shelter and domestic
utensils packages for 150 families, and will organise mental health
and disaster prevention workshops for 288 families. CWS informs that
they will not request support from the ACT Alliance.
