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ARCHIVED - Canary Islands buys 73 houses for residents who lost their homes in the volcano
Following the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, thousands of people have been displaced from their homes
In an attempt to ease the burden on the hundreds of people who lost their homes as a result of the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Canary island of La Palma on Sunday September 19, the regional government has committed to buying empty houses in the area to offer displaced residents somewhere to live.
According to the vice president and regional Minister for Finance, Roman Rodriguez, two private developments have been selected. There are 44 empty homes in the area of Tazacorte while a further 29 houses are vacant in Los Llanos de Aridane.
During a visit to the municipality of Agüimes on Wednesday September 22, the vice president was thankful that the eruption didn’t result in any serious injury or loss of life, but reiterated that his first priority is moving those currently housed in hotels and holiday apartments to more permanent residences.
The 20 million cubic metres of lava that spewed from the volcano on Sunday afternoon has devastated 166 hectares of land and completely destroyed more than 350 buildings in its path. The government of the island will shortly look to the EU for support in repairing damaged schools, health centres and roads.
The central government has already begun working on a reconstruction plan for La Palma which will be implemented as soon as the volcano stops erupting. This plan will involve repairing the devastated infrastructure as well as offering aid to fishermen and farmers financially affected by the disaster.
Aside from the residents who lost their homes, there are currently 6,800 people who have been evacuated from the danger zones as a precautionary measure, and authorities are working with the Red Cross and the General Directorate of Migration to find temporary housing for them.
Minister Felix Bolanos stressed the regional government’s commitment to support the families hardest hit by the catastrophe.
“The inhabitants of La Palma have to know that we are with them, that we are not going to leave anyone to suffer the consequence of this terrible eruption and the government's commitment is total," he said.
Image: Involcan
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