JUCHITAN CITY, Mexico (CCTV) — The Mexican government has stepped up relief efforts in clearing rubbles and ruling out construction hazards in the state of Oaxaca after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake shook the region.
The arrival of armies and navies has boosted the moral among residents of the hardest-hit Juchitan City. While the soldiers gathered more information on casualties and damages, some remote regions are yet to be searched, according to Lieutenant Victor Ayala of the navy who is leading a rescue team.
“We are yet to reach some of the villages, because they are not accessible to communication and transportation. We are still trying to get to each of the disaster-affected areas either on land or by air, so that every (disaster-affected) community gets the due attention it deserves,” said Ayala.
The rescuers have expanded their work scope, moving to the outskirts of the city and nearby villages to make sure no one was hurt from further house collapses.
The reconstruction work largely rests on the federal government, as the municipal government has limited resources, said Mayor Gloria Sanchez.
“We have to rely on the federal government for the city’s reconstruction. As the municipal government, we can only assist the proceedings of such work. What we are doing now is clearing the streets and remove the rubbles out of the buildings. We are trying bit by bit, but we still need help — we need more human resources and machineries,” she said.
Beatriz Carcia, a local resident with a large family of nearly 30 members, grieved the loss of their shared home.
“This was the house where our extended family stayed together. We used to chat and get together here almost every day, celebrating birthdays or having dinners. This used to be the most important place to us,” she said, pointing at her old household.
The massive earthquake hit the southern coast of Mexico last Thursday, leaving a death toll of at least 96 nationwide and 76 in Oaxaca by Monday. Around 2.5 million people are waiting for aid and shelter.
The Mexican Ministry of Finance has said the government will grant temporary tax exemptions to victims of the deadly quake. Those affected will also be able to deduct expenses on new fixed assets, such as a building, property, plant, and equipment.
