About 100 volunteers with the non-governmental organization Un Techo para mi País (A Roof for my Country) built 15 temporary homes this past weekend for families left homeless after the Jan. 8 earthquake.
The 18-square-meter wooden structures were constructed on a soccer field in Poasito, a town near the 6.2 magnitude quake´s epicenter. Founded in Chile, Un Techo has previously raised 230 such structures in Costa Rica and some 40,000 more across Latin America, the NGO said in a press release.
Private sector companies and the government are helping cover the cost of the emergency homes, each costing $1,600. After the first 15, the NGO plans to build another 180.
“It´s crucial we speed up the prefabrication of emer gency homes, if we really want to create a coherent response to the magnitude of the emergency, ” said Patricio Morera, Un Techo´s head of social programs.
Anyone interested in volunteering can call 2234-6471 or visit www.untechoparamipais.org.
