Colombian president pledges swift rebuild of island ravaged by Iota

2020-11-17 22:35:26 GMT2020-11-18 06:35:26(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

BOGOTA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Colombian President Ivan Duque on Tuesday pledged to rebuild in 100 days or less the island of Providencia, which was ravaged by category-5 Hurricane Iota.

"This is an unprecedented event in the country. What began as a tropical storm became a category 5 hurricane, which had never been seen in Colombian territory," the president told a state broadcaster.

Given the degree of destruction in Providencia, home to some 6,000 residents, the idea is "to launch the greatest transformation in a period of 100 days or less," said Duque.

Once weather conditions improve in the San Andres and Providencia archipelago, said the president, ships and planes with humanitarian aid will be sent to the region, where the hurricane killed one person and displaced hundreds on Monday.

"It is a very big challenge," Duque said, adding officials must work to reestablish electricity and telecommunications, and clean up and, if needed, repair the airport and docks to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Earlier this month, Hurricane Eta hit the archipelago, causing material damage and leaving some homeless. Enditem

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