Santiago: Chile unveiled an initial, USD 110 million reconstruction plan on Friday to put the central region back on its feet after a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The plan focuses on immediate priorities, such as providing shelter to families made homeless by the quake, restoring school attendance and creating jobs in coastal areas that bore the brunt of the catastrophe, government spokeswoman Ena Von Baer said.
The Planning and Cooperation Ministry will provide 20,000 provisional homes, in addition to 20,000 already delivered by the "Chile Helps Chile" campaign.
"These are complementary measures and not a substitute for the permanent solutions the Housing Ministry is working on," said Planning Minister Felipe Kast.
The reconstruction plan calls for putting all Chilean children back in school as quickly as possible.
"The funds will used for minor repairs (to schools) so classes can resume before April 26, and also to set up social infrastructure including temporary colleges," said Education Minister Joaquin Lavin.
He also announced a government grant of USD 60 a month over six months to some 20,000 university students whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake.
On the labour front, Economy Minister Juan Andres Fontaine said the government would first help rebuild local fisheries and provide temporary employment to fishermen while their livelihood is restored.
"This package of measures will help support 9,000 families in 27 coves who were affected by the tsunami," Fontaine said.
On Thursday, President Sebastian Pinera used his first nationally televised address since his March 11 inauguration to pledge thousands of new jobs as part of reconstruction effort.
The new administration, he said, will "relaunch the production sector... and create 60,000 additional job opportunities, especially in the affected regions."
Labour unions estimate the February 27 earthquake and tsunami left 15,000 people unemployed in Chile, and said there were complaints of employers taking advantage of the ensuing chaos to sack some of their staff without giving them any compensation.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 12:06