Colombia looks to complete post-hurricane rebuild in San Andrés archipelago in 1Q22

The government of Colombia is looking to accelerate reconstruction works in the San Andrés archipelago, following the damage caused by hurricanes Iota and Eta last year.

The aim of the authorities is to complete the planned works during the first quarter of 2022.

So far 1.2tn pesos (US$335mn) have been invested in infrastructure reconstruction and economic support measures, which also includes 18bn pesos disbursed through a credit line for local firms, President Iván Duque said during the assembly of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), currently being held in Barranquilla.

Duque added that works will begin shortly on the drainage network on the island of San Andrés (estimated to cost 50bn pesos), which is one of the biggest projects in the reconstruction effort.

Other projects in the reconstruction plan include reconstruction works on more than 2,000 homes damaged by the hurricanes, as well as the airport on Providencia island, installation of water tanks and dredging of the local potable water reservoir, according to the head of territorial development financing agency Findeter, Sandra Gómez. 

Providencia was badly affected in the archipelago, with 100% of its residents reporting being affected by the two hurricanes.