Many Puerto Ricans are sleeping outside their homes due to a large number of earthquakes over the past month that has left many homes in ruin.

Filmed on February 7, the footage shows the destruction left behind by recent earthquakes and large numbers of locals camping outside in vans and tents in Guayanilla.

A 5.0 earthquake shook the country's southwestern coast on Tuesday (February 4) and the island has been recovering from a series of tremors over the past month.

The filmer, Felix, told Newsflare: "In the town of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico there are about 3,500 people sleeping in public spaces.

"Some of these families lost their homes and others cannot return to them because of the danger of collapse or simply because they fear that another earthquake will surprise them there.

"Most left their homes after the 6.4 earthquake that rumbled across the island of Puerto Rico on January 7."

People sleeping outside

Puerto ricans sleeping outside

In the town of Guayanilla, Puerto Rico there are about 3,500 people sleeping in public spaces. Likewise, families were reported sleeping outside their homes in the municipalities of Guánica and Yauco.

Some of these families lost their homes and others cannot return to them because of the danger of collapse or simply because they fear that another earthquake will surprise them there. Most left their homes after the 6.4 earthquake on the Richter scale that rumbled across the island of Puerto Rico on January 7 at about 4 in the morning.

Family camps were formed as an alternative to the shelters established by the Government. Some reject the bureaucratic procedure that must be passed to be in them, and others consider them insecure. Above all there is a tribal instinct to stay in family and community.

Many Puerto Ricans still sleeping outside because they don't feel safe in their homes.