Columbia Mudslide

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos looks over rescue efforts. 

Over 100 people are presumed to be buried in mud and rubble after heavy rains have caused a state of emergency in Columbia.  The President, Juan Manuel Santos has entered the region in Bello in Antioquia province were 38 bodies have already been recovered from the debris.  Unfortunately the rescue efforts following the golden hours of the disaster have been hindered as the threat of more flooding and landslides threaten the area.  So far this flood has been the worst of the rainy season which has already claimed some 200 lives and forced 1.7 million people from their homes while destroying many peoples livelihood.  The government have issued a 30 day state of emergency so that they may get orders ready for aid and other rescue efforts and reconstruction.  The government is expected to spend around $550 million in disaster aid although the Inter-American Development Bank has offered to give a $350million dollar credit which will be helpful but now the coffee, coal and agricultural sections of commerce are in jeopardy of loosing millions of dollars which will effect the economy of Columbia.  And with the flooding of farm lands and the erosion of roads this will drive up the prices of food, another element to this natural disaster.  


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/08/colombia-venezuela