Costa Rica's National Emergency Committee (CNE) donated ₡ 30 million (more than $50,000) worth of building material Monday to 50 families in Santa Bárbara de Heredia, north of San José, who suffered housing damage who suffered housing damages when a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck the region on Jan. 8.

The donation, which consisted of bags of cement, building blocks, wood and rebar, is the first of its kind from the commission. Although nearly nine months may seem like ages to wait for the first donation of building material, CNE spokesman Reinaldo Carballo said that the government has been assisting families and neighborhoods in other ways.

“There has been a series of situations that have helped these areas,” Carballo said. “There has been work done to the aqueducts, families have been relocated, roads have been worked on. This donation is just the latest in our efforts.”

In spite of the effort, a July report released by the government's rebuilding commission indicated that only 40 of the 1,000 displaced families have been successfully relocated. Carballo said the number can be misleading, however, because some families refused to accept relocation.

The rebuilding commission estimates that the earthquake caused more than $35 million in housing damage.

The CNE is planning other material donations in the upcoming months for Alajuela and Poás, northwest of San José, Heredia, north of San José, and Grecia, west of the capital city.

Habitat for Humanity recently completed construction on 13 homes in Alajuela for families who lost their houses on Jan. 8.