(Mexico City) The Mexican government announced Wednesday a $3.5 billion aid plan for Acapulco, the famous seaside resort devastated by a force 5 hurricane whose residents are organizing in the face of insecurity.
“We have the budget to finance all needs,” promised President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, for whom it is an “investment” and not an “expense”.
The plan provides for the delivery of food to 250,000 families affected by the hurricane which devastated 80% of hotels, businesses, beaches, buildings, the tennis stadium a week ago… with winds blowing 270 km /h.
The government will provide interest-free loans to small businesses and support 377 hotels, with also budgets to rebuild roads between Acapulco and Mexico City.
The government also intends to improve urban services (water, sanitation, public lighting).
The hurricane Otiswhich intensified in record time in the Pacific off the coast of Acapulco, caused the death of 46 people and 58 are missing.
The cost of the damage could amount to up to $15 billion, according to a very first assessment by the risk assessment expert company Enki Research.
“Together, we will soon, very soon, succeed in putting the beautiful and nostalgic port of Acapulco back on its feet,” said the president, referring to the golden age of this seaside resort in the 1960s and 70s. when it attracted the American jet set.
The government also announced the deployment of several regiments of the National Guard to fight against thefts.
Equipped with machetes and baseball bats, residents of certain neighborhoods organized themselves to protect their homes against looting. They marked off protected areas by erecting barricades with the rubble left by the hurricane.
PHOTO SILVANA FLORES, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Equipped with machetes and baseball bats, residents of certain neighborhoods organized themselves to protect their homes against looting.
Armed guards have been placed in the Zona Diamante luxury hotel zone.
On Tuesday, electricity and telecommunications were restored in several neighborhoods. The army distributed water and food. Medical brigades, supported by Cuban doctors, provided care to those affected.