In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Otis on Acapulco and its surrounding areas, the Mexican government unveiled a comprehensive aid plan on Wednesday, totaling 61.313 billion pesos, or approximately $3.5 billion. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador shared the details during his morning press conference, emphasizing that these funds are not considered expenses but investments in rebuilding the affected region.
The aid package includes provisions for immediate relief, such as distributing groceries to nearly 250,000 affected families in Acapulco over the next three months. Additionally, resources will be allocated for cleaning, painting, and rehabilitating damaged homes based on the severity of the destruction. Small businesses will receive interest-free credits to aid their recovery, and funding will be dedicated to enhancing urban services like water, drainage, and street lighting.
Furthermore, the government plans to assist 377 hotels by facilitating commercial bank loans for reconstruction efforts. Investments will also be made in rehabilitating the roads connecting Acapulco to Mexico City and nearby municipalities.
In response to rising security concerns, the government will deploy multiple National Guard barracks to prevent looting. This move comes after reports of residents resorting to barricades and machetes to deter criminal activities.
Hurricane Otis, a Category 5 storm, struck Acapulco last Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The hurricane has resulted in 46 confirmed casualties, 58 people missing, and extensive damage to homes and hotels. According to the specialized natural disaster consultancy firm Enki Research, the total estimated damages caused by Otis amount to approximately $15 billion.
The aid plan underscores the government’s commitment to swiftly rebuild Acapulco and restore normalcy to the lives of its residents, emphasizing the importance of national solidarity and support in times of crisis.