La Palma residents grieve five years after volcanic eruption
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Five years after the volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma, Spain, residents continue to mourn lost homes and livelihoods while the island undergoes reconstruction.
In September 2021, a volcano erupted, destroying nearly 3,000 buildings including 1,400 homes and 74 kilometers of road. A large canvas displaying 124 images serves as a collective memorial to the life that existed before the lava flow.
While roads and infrastructure have been repaired and tourism has returned to pre-eruption levels, many residents are still grappling with grief and financial hardship. Juan Fernando Pérez, president of the Association of those Affected by the Cumbre Vieja Volcano, lost a home valued at 374,000 euros and has so far received only 75,000 euros in aid. Sixty families still live in temporary container homes, and another 35 in wooden houses.
Local and regional governments are working to build public housing to accommodate displaced residents, with a goal of having everyone in permanent homes by 2027. The island government also notes that the central Spanish government has not fully delivered on its promised financial aid, despite a new law intended to speed up assistance to disaster victims. Over 1,600 sensors continue to monitor carbon dioxide levels in areas affected by volcanic gases.
