735 spaces have been identified that could operate as temporary shelters if necessary; in addition to supplies to provide immediate attention to the population.
Before the start of the season of tropical cyclones and rains, the Secretariat of the Social Assistance System (SSAS), through the System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF) Jalisco, has detected at least 735 spaces in the twelve regions of the state that could be enabled as temporary shelters in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.
According to the State DIF Humanitarian Aid Directorate, this network of shelters could serve up to 10,000 people throughout the state. The regions most affected by meteorological impact are Sierra de Amula, Costa Sur and Costa-Sierra Occidental.
The Head of the Department of Attention to Population in Emergency Conditions (APCE), Inés María García López, explained that throughout the year they work in coordination with the 125 municipal DIFs in the authorization and supervision of temporary shelters, updating the directory of these spaces, and a review of the protocols they have to give an immediate response.
“We have an emergency stock in the coastal municipalities, which are supplies such as cots, mats, blankets, and pantry items. This would be the first response, that the Municipality has the resources to offer to the population immediately, ”she added.
Due to its geographical location, which makes it prone to the impact of tropical cyclones, Region 08 Costa Sur is the one with the most properties identified as possible temporary shelters, with a total of 125. Region 09 Costa-Sierra Occidental has 73 spaces of this type, although the figures may vary with time since the directory is constantly updated.
García López explained that just in regions 07, 08, and 09 municipal DIF have 1,036 cots, 1,135 blankets, and 911 mats, in addition to food pantries, all necessary material that would serve as a first response. If necessary, the Jalisco DIF System would transfer more supplies to meet the needs that arise according to the event.
The Head of the Department of APCE in DIF Jalisco explained that the basic aspects to determine if a property is viable as a temporary shelter include having ample spaces, and access to basic services such as water, toilets, showers, and an area for food preparation.
“Now with the issue of COVID-19 we also have to take care of social distancing. In other words, a temporary shelter that, prior to the pandemic, housed a hundred people, is now being significantly reduced, ”added García López.
Forecasts indicate that during the 2021 storm season in the Pacific Ocean, between 14 and 20 tropical cyclones could form.