- 129 - 56. Here again, the inhabitants have contributed to upgrading the community, but complain about the lack of a clinic and school, the distance from sources of work, and transport and security problems. 57. Certain dwellings are unacceptably small (13.5 square metres) and the inhabitants are living in conditions of overcrowding, which are causing serious difficulties, especially with regard to the health of the children. The specific problem of the "El Chorrillo" district following the United States invasion in December 1989 58. The bombardments and the acts of destruction and arson that occurred in the days following the invasion affected about 20,000 persons. The most stricken district was that of El Chorrillo, where several blocks of apartments were totally destroyed, as a result of which their inhabitants were forced to seek alternative accommodation, often at a great distance from their former dwelling. Other buildings suffered severe damage, which has not yet been repaired: leaking water pipes, malfunctioning lifts, the deteriorating condition of toilets and communal areas of buildings, etc. 59. Some rebuilding that was carried out in the same district in a hasty manner after the invasion has serious drawbacks: very dark, unventilated apartments that are without real windows and do not provide decent living conditions. 60. Other alternative accommodation was made available at a great distance from the city centre, as in the case of the Santa Eduviges community, which was built with the help of a loan from the United States Agency for International Development. Each dwelling cost $6,500. The inhabitants, who all come from El Chorrillo district, are complaining about being far from any source of employment and about the cost of transport. They feel isolated, in a dismal, unfinished neighbourhood where they are still faced with problems of sewage disposal, electricity and communications. Moreover, the roofs of the houses are made of material that is hazardous to health in so far as it could cause cancer. 61. It should be noted that it is very difficult to determine the amount of the contribution by the United States of America to the emergency housing programme following the December 1989 intervention. 62. According to a report by the Ministry of Housing dated 21 January 1992, the Government of Panama held negotiations with the United States Government concerning the financing of repair of the damage caused by the military action and two agreements (525-0300 and 525-0302) signed in 1990 provided for aid to be granted by the United States in the amount of $42,625,400, half of this to be used for the "El Chorrillo plan". The Government of Panama reportedly contributed an additional amount of $3,283,000 for the El Chorrillo plan and the United States Agency for International Development is said to have used $1.9 million of its funds for the upkeep of Albrook Camp and other camps. 63. According to official figures, 2,723 families (or approximately 13,500 persons) are entitled to benefit from the financial assistance provided for under the agreements.