$37 Million Aid Package Unveiled for Chetumal After Devastating Rains and Floods

Governor Mara Lezama has revealed a comprehensive emergency action plan for Chetumal, following the damage caused by recent rains and floods. The initiative, funded by a reallocation of nearly 37 million pesos from state funds, aims to provide immediate relief to the affected areas.

During a visit to the state capital, Governor Lezama outlined that 18 million pesos would be allocated towards in-kind support. This includes the purchase of household goods such as refrigerators, stoves, mattresses, and dining sets to replace those damaged in the floods. She also assured that a census would be conducted to ensure the aid is delivered transparently, as part of the New Agreement for the Welfare and Development of Quintana Roo.

Governor Lezama also announced that 2 million pesos from the package would be given to small traders, not eligible for credit, through cards directly to the beneficiaries. This is to help reactivate their businesses with aids ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 pesos. An additional 5 million pesos will be used for repairing damaged concrete floors and roofs. She emphasized that the distribution of aid will be based on the ongoing census conducted by a team of over 200 surveyors and 150 collaborators from the DIF Quintana Roo System.

The governor identified Las Casitas, Proterritorio, Adolfo López Mateos, and Caribe as the neighborhoods requiring the most support, with 889 families identified so far. The census will continue to identify more families in need. She also mentioned that 2.85 million pesos are being used to purchase and distribute 5,000 food packages for families in need during the emergency.

Furthermore, nearly 5.5 million pesos will be allocated for deforestation, and 3.6 million for repairing damaged roads. The governor assured that the state Comptroller's Office would supervise the correct and transparent application of these funds.

In addition to the immediate relief, Governor Lezama also announced a joint initiative with the Quintana Roo Financing Fund and NAFIN. A fund of 181 million pesos has been established to provide microcredits ranging from 35,000 to 70,000 pesos, and commercial bank credits from 100,000 to 5 million pesos, to businesses in need. These loans will be offered under competitive conditions with interest rates of 1% per month, grace periods of up to 6 months, and without mortgage guarantees. She also mentioned that additional aid from the federal government is being sought to face potential challenges due to the ongoing hurricane season.