By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Institute of Social Assistance, know as IMAS, reported having invested $112,011 to aid 52 families affected by the fire last Monday, September 16th, in the community of Barrio Cuba*, in the province of San José.

The Institute has another fund of $103,395 that will also be used to help the people who lost their homes. The support will be effective after a review of each family's situation.

"We coordinate the actions necessary to assist families that are identified by the local emergency commission and that have been affected by this or other emergencies," said Juan Luis Bermúdez, Executive President of the Institute. "Fortunately there are no human lives lost, but as long as there are material losses our obligation is to coordinate with the different institutions to bring attention to the basic needs of the families.”

For the allocation of benefits, the Municipal Emergency Committees of each canton sends the certified list with the information of persons or families duly identified to the Institute.

With the emergency subsidies allowance, people can buy food, clothing, household items, and make temporary rent payments for families who have suffered some type of emergency.


As A.M. Costa Rica reported on Sept 18th, the fire at the community of Barrio Cuba burned at least 40 houses.

According to the Firefighter's Department Head, Héctor Chaves, it was necessary to use 14 extinguishing units and 120 firefighters to control the fire that lasted about one hour and burned at least 40 houses.

A team of approximately 50 police officers helped evacuate people and secure the perimeter to prevent people from entering the burning area to recover items from their homes.

In a preliminary count made by officials of the Emergency Commission, 300 people lost their homes, of these 210 are adults and 90 are children.

The municipality of San José created a makeshift shelter in the gymnasium of the community of Barrio Cuba, where 70 people were staying.

The Commission is supporting victims with food, beds, blankets, medicines, and personal hygiene supplies.

Also, the Water Institute installed tanks for the water supply of the shelter.

The Ministry of Housing is carrying out the process of registering families, in an aid program, to finance the construction or purchase of a house.

The fire covered approximately 800 square meters. There were houses built of wood and even cardboard, which helped the fire spread rapidly.

"The fire spread faster because the houses were built with wood and some even with cardboard", Chavez said.

There were no people injured during the emergency.

 
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What emergency plans does your community have in place should there be a fire or natural disaster?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com

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