By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic

Ecuador will make payments to 8,500 families affected by a deadly earthquake last month.

The plan includes $9,000 to purchase homes that does not exceed $70,000 in value and a bonus of $4,000 for the restoration of houses that have suffered structural damage.

During a news conference, Vice President Jorge Glas said the plan will be focused on the coastal provinces of Manabi, Esmeraldas and Santo Domingo, where the magnitude-7.8 quake killed 660 victims, left 29,000 homeless and destroyed nearly 7,000 buildings.

The government will pay $150 for six months to residents who accommodate families living in shelters. The host family will receive a bonus of $100 for food for three months.

For those who prefer to rent a house, Ecuador will make $135 rent payments for six months and another $ 100 for food for three months.

“These incentives apply immediately”, according to Glas, who leads the reconstruction committee that was formed after the quake.

Minister of Economic and Social Inclusion Lídice Larrea, said the government has a database with victims’ information that will benefit only those who have lost their homes.