Background on the Situation
Heavy rains have caused significant damage across several Mexican states, including Hidalgo, Puebla, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, and Querétaro. The disaster has resulted in tragic consequences, with 78 reported fatalities and 23 individuals still unaccounted for.
Progress in Recovery Efforts
Infrastructure and Education
Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina, the Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation, reported that 195 out of the 288 affected localities have regained accessibility, accounting for nearly 70% of the communicated communities.
Additionally, 979 out of 1,351 damaged schools have been addressed, representing a 72% advancement in cleaning, repairing, and rehabilitating educational infrastructure. The states with the most progress are Hidalgo (94.25%), San Luis Potosí (77.67%), Querétaro (69.42%), Veracruz (69.88%), and Puebla (64.08%).
Housing and Utilities
According to the federal government’s website, 85,221 households have been censored, with the highest numbers in Veracruz (52,859), Puebla (11,279), Hidalgo (9,680), San Luis Potosí (8,938), and Querétaro (2,465).
Regarding electricity, Hidalgo has restored 97.64% of the service, while Puebla, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí have fully restored power. Veracruz reports 99.93% of electricity restoration, resulting in a national average of 99.38% of localities with electricity.
Humanitarian Aid
The federal government has distributed 273,448 food packages, primarily in Veracruz (105,611), Puebla (60,550), Hidalgo (55,487), San Luis Potosí (42,450), and Querétaro (9,350).
Furthermore, 168,610 vaccinations have been administered by 52,805 public servants, members of the Armed Forces, and brigadistas involved in attention and reconstruction efforts.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Jesús Antonio Esteva Medina? He is the Secretary of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation in Mexico, responsible for overseeing recovery efforts following the heavy rains.
- Why are these states relevant? These states have been severely impacted by the heavy rains, necessitating extensive recovery and humanitarian aid efforts.
- How do these actions impact others? The recovery efforts aim to restore accessibility, essential services, and the well-being of affected communities, ultimately supporting their return to normalcy.