Last month’s earthquake caused RD$160 million worth of material damage to public, private and commercial premises in the northern city of Santiago, and has left between 170 and 200 families homeless, according to Edwin Vargas of the northern branch of engineers’ association CODIA. The Red Cross has warned people not to stay in damaged houses, which could be brought down by future tremors. Affected families in poor neighborhoods have protested, however, that no official help has come their way. Aridia Altagracia Grullon, a widow with eight children, told Hoy newspaper that she had lost everything she owned. Another woman quoted in the article said that people were relying on friends and neighbors for help and temporary accommodation. The earthquake also caused serious damage in the coastal town of Puerto Plata and the surrounding area.