# Mérida municipal community development programs > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mrida-municipal-community-development-programs > Updated: 2026-08-18T16:28:00.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2. The municipal government of Mérida has announced an expansion of local learning and vocational programs. As a UNESCO Learning City, the administration is offering various free and low-cost opportunities to support family development and skill acquisition. Key initiatives include over 46 free courses through Labor Training Centers and ‘A Mano’ workshops, covering fields such as sewing, beauty, and crafts. The city is also providing English language instruction through a Municipal English Academy and offering diverse sports programs, including soccer, boxing, and yoga. Additionally, municipal libraries and play centers will host various art workshops and social activities. Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada recently inaugurated the first Municipal English Academy located in a comisaría, specifically in Dzityá. This new facility is expected to serve 120 students aged 9 and older, bringing the total number of academy locations to nine. These sites include Centro, Francisco de Montejo, Casamata, Sara Mena, Francisco I. Madero, Amapola, Nora Quintana, and the Centro Integral del Sur. The academy aims to provide equal educational opportunities and professional tools to residents in outlying areas. Furthermore, the Direction of Prosperity and Economic Well-being is promoting vocational training with over 1,300 available spots across 18 centers. Enrollment for these courses, which include skills such as handicrafts and beauty, is scheduled to begin on August 24. Mayor Patrón Laviada stated the administration remains committed to ensuring residents have access to spaces for continuous knowledge acquisition and professional development. ## Claims - Senapred issued a Red Alert for the entire Antofagasta Region. (disputed by 5 sources) - Senapred declared a Red Alert for the communes of Antofagasta, Taltal, Mejillones, and Tocopilla. (disputed by 5 sources) - President José Antonio Kast decreed a constitutional state of exception of catastrophe for the province of Tocopilla. (corroborated by 8 sources) - An alarm was issued for intense precipitation in the coastal areas of Tocopilla and Taltal. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 2,000 people were evacuated due to the weather emergency. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Tocopilla received approximately 30 millimeters of rainfall. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Evacuations were ordered for the Zofri, Barrio Industrial, and Marinero Desconocido sectors in Iquique. (corroborated by 2 sources) - 535 inmates were evacuated from the Tocopilla Preventive Detention Center to Antofagasta. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The municipal government of Puebla has deployed preventive actions and permanent attention due to rains. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Mérida is implementing a hydrological infrastructure project to address flooding and climate change. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Culiacán municipal crews are performing cleaning and desilting works following recent rains. (corroborated by 2 sources) - One person has died in the northern zone due to the weather event. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Tocopilla, Chile enters state of catastrophe after devastating floods President José Antonio Kast declared a state of catastrophe in Tocopilla, Chile, as intense rains and mudslides have flooded 60% of homes, displaced 2,000 people, and caused at least one death. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mrida-expands-municipal-learning-and-vocational-programs ### 2026-08-11: Mérida government launches urban gardens for seniors The Mérida government in Venezuela is launching urban gardens in Campo Elías to improve nutrition and social engagement for vulnerable senior citizens. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mrida-government-launches-urban-gardens-for-seniors --- Cite as: Mérida municipal community development programs. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mrida-municipal-community-development-programs