Mexicali: 30 Days Later
It’s seven in the morning and, like many people, Federico Santos starts his day by preparing breakfast for his family.
The eggs are cooked sunny side up and the tortillas are being heated on the pan. His family gathers around a small table and enjoy the first meal of the day.
The reality is, it is not a regular morning — it is day 30 of the Easter Day Earthquake aftermath in the Mexicali Valley. Thousands of families like the Santos live in shanty shelters with no running water, electricty , or adequate shelter .
The families sleep in small tents; cook on stoves connected to gas tanks; and use plastic tarps to block the sun’s rays.
“We have a lot of food here,” said Federico Santos. ” It’s all thanks to the people from Mexico and the United States who bring us supplies. The real issue now, is getting help from the Mexican government who promised they would rebuild our homes and rodes. We’ve been here a month and we still don’t know when we’ll have a roof over our heads– I’m scared.”
Although the city of Mexicali received minimal damage from the Easter quake, nearly 5,000 homes were destroyed in the Mexicali Valley known as “Los Ejidos” or communal farming lands, located 50-miles south of the border.
The Departamento de Proteccion Civil (DPC) — Mexico’s equivalent of the Federal Emergency Managment Agency (FEMA)– say they continue to asses the cost of the damage. and the victims’ homes should be rebuilt in the coming weeks.
The DPC continues to accept donations for the victims of the quake.Those interested in helping families in the Mexicali Valley should contact the DPC at (686) 554-9211 or (686) 552-6918.
