What it means to declare the disaster situation in San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina for one year

The National Government, through Decree 1472, of November 18, 2020, declared the existence of a disaster situation in the Archipelago department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina and its keys, for a term of 12 months, extendable for up to an equal period.

“By virtue of the declaration of this declaration of a departmental disaster situation, both the national entities and the department will apply the special regulatory regime for disaster situations and public calamity.”, says the norm.

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With regard to the customs regime, it is established that in everything that is appropriate, “with respect to the goods that enter as aid that are acquired to be used for emergency response actions, the rehabilitation, repair or reconstruction of the affected areas in the Archipelago department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, will apply to articles 204 and 391 of Decree 2685 of 1999 and other concordant regulations”.

The National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) may authorize, without any prior procedure, direct delivery to the importer of certain goods that require it, Either because they enter as aid for victims of catastrophes or claims, due to their special nature or because they respond to the satisfaction of a pressing need.

Furthermore, Decree 1472, signed by President Iván Duque, provides that the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management will proceed to develop, based on the National Disaster Risk Management Plan, a Specific Action Plan for the management of the disaster situation.

Among the guidelines that must be taken into account are:

1. Humanitarian assistance to affected families with food and bedroom, toilet and kitchen items, during the time of the emergency and additional time necessary in the development of the recovery process.

2. Administration and management of shelters and / or temporary rental subsidies for families who evacuated their homes.

3. Drinking water and basic sanitation.

Four. Comprehensive health, control and epidemiological surveillance.

5. Recovery and / or construction of housing (damaged and destroyed).

6. Economic and social reactivation of the area in accordance with the lines established by the National Planning Department and other pertinent entities.

7. Territorial organization.

8. Early alerts.

9. Emergency works and prevention and mitigation works in the area.

10. Continuity of the provision of public and telecommunications services.

In the same sense, there must be the coordination of system actions by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management with the respective Departmental Risk Management Council of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, as well as maintaining clear and timely public information on the development of the plan.

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Equally, It is established that the necessary communications networks and the pertinent actions of logistics and national and international donations must be activated.

Public entities must appoint an official of the highest level, who will be in charge of the implementation of the actions, under the guidance and coordination of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, states the decree.

Learn about Decree 1472 here