Weekly review

National emergency

The Government decreed national emergency, in order to smooth the way for the National Emergency Commission (NEC) to challenge the most pressing needs of thousands of Costa Ricans affected by a two-week rainy spell, resulting from the combination of a tropical disturbance and two low-pressure systems. The decree orders all state institutions to transfer to the NEC a percentage of their idle funds, so that the Commission can rebuild the infrastructure and help some 1,500 families who have lost their houses to floods. Early estimates set the losses at close to $68 million so far, including damaged roads, water lines, bridges, power lines, and other facilities.

65 cantons affected

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Of the 81 cantons into which Costa Rica is divided, 65 are suffering, with varying degrees of intensity, the effects of non-stop rain. According to the National Emergency Commission (NEC), thousands of houses have been damaged, 1,500 beyond repair. Slides have blocked the access to many areas, and 27 roads have sustained heavy damage. Hundreds of children, women, and men have been evacuated to schools, community halls, and other safe buildings, where their basic needs are provided for, the Red Cross reports.

Landslide killed 14

After removing thousands of tons of mud, rocks, and trees, rescue workers recovered the bodies of 14 people who were killed by a landslide near Atenas, Alajuela. The heavy rains of recent weeks had saturated the soil and, because of the likelihood of a slide, the Red Cross told residents of the village of Bajo Cacao to evacuate the place, but not all of them did. The event took place late at night, when most of the people were asleep, so only a few of those who had stayed were able to escape. According to official sources, the death toll because of the stormy weather is already 18 countrywide.

Security Council seat

A majority vote at the United Nations General Assembly granted Costa Rica a two-year non-permanent seat at the Security Council for the 2008-2009 period. This is the third time that the small Central American nation is thus honored, since it also served in the 1974-1975 and the 1997-1998 periods. President Oscar Arias hailed this opportunity as a means to promote initiatives such as the Arms Trade Treaty, which Costa Rica has the authority to promote given the fact that, for the last 59 years, is has not had any armed forces.

First President to visit China

Dr. Oscar Arias will be the first President of Costa Rica ever to visit the People’s Republic of China, when he arrives in Beijing on October 22nd. According to reports from the capital of China, he will be accorded a splendid welcoming since, according to a press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China considers of extraordinary importance the official visit of Dr. Arias. President Hu Jin-tao, State and Communist Party leaders will meet with Dr. Arias to discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues.

10,000 construction workers

In late November or early December, some 10,000 Nicaraguans will start arriving in Costa Rica in order to work in construction. Their arrival was requested by the Ministry of Labor and the Costa Rican private sector. The leader of the Sandinista Construction Labor Union Luis Barboza said that the workers include bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, and others. Minister of Labor Francisco Morales said that the workers will be granted all the proper conditions, starting with a temporary working permit. He added that an additional 31,000 workers are likely to be authorized to come to Costa Rica, aiming to address the labor needs of the agricultural sector.

Flights from Paris

Minister of Tourism Carlos Benavides announced that the French carrier Aero Caraibes will operate two weekly flights between Paris and Costa Rica, starting the second week in December. The flights will include stops in the island of Guadalupe and in Panama. Minister Benavides pointed out that a French tour operator has already bought half of the seats available for travelers to Costa Rica. In addition, he said that Chinese, U.S., and European airlines have displayed an interest in flying to Costa Rica, too.