Rebuilding Mexico's Barrios after September's Earthquakes
Hundreds of people lost their lives in the three quakes amd thousands of buildings were damaged.
According to the government's preliminary estimates, reconstruction will cost more than US$2.1 billion.
Pictures
Damage to housing was particularly striking in central areas of the country close to the epicentre of the quake southeast of Mexico City in the states of Puebla and Morelos.Reuters
The 7.1 earthquake left 369 people dead and over 1000 buildings in need of repair.Reuters
Some houses were simply flattened -the government and the private sector estimate reconstruction will cost billions of dollars.Reuters
Now living with relatives, this woman and many others hope their destroyed homes will eventually be rebuilt.Reuters
Mexico has launched a Scientific Committee for the Reconstruction and Future of Mexico City to investigate the conditions of the buildings.Reuters
About 94 percent of the buildings in the capital have been inspected and some 8,405 buildings have sustained damage.Reuters
Hector Guzman, 48, a farm worker and representative of the Municipal President in San Jose Platanar, hold the model of a new house for his father.Reuters
Jaime Delgado, 21, an agricultural worker whose house was not damaged, said: “A lady died here, crushed by the rubble. All this is over, now I search pieces of iron to sell. My economic situation is bad.”Reuters
“I hope the authorities do not deceive us with promises. I do not know what's going to happen to us,” 78-year-old Catalina Martinez said.Reuters
Rene Contreras, 20, a student, whose house was badly damaged, said: “Now I live with my brother. Tomorrow a good hearted person will build for me an emergency house. I will fight to get ahead.”Reuters