Colombia has declared a 30-day economic, social and ecological emergency in 15 earthquake-hit provinces, including Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Caldas, the government said on the 19th. The decree, signed after a cabinet meeting in Bogotá, aims to speed housing reconstruction and restore commercial activity and public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. The president said Colombia faces its "most complex" fiscal situation and the government will cut some of the previous administration

Colombia has declared a 30-day economic, social and ecological emergency in 15 earthquake-hit provinces, including Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Caldas, the government said on the 19th. The decree, signed after a cabinet meeting in Bogotá, aims to speed housing reconstruction and restore commercial activity and public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. The president said Colombia faces its "most complex" fiscal situation and the government will cut some of the previous administration's "non-priority" spending to fund recovery efforts.