PAHO/WHO Assists Colombia with Recovery Following Major Earthquake
PAHO/WHO teams are helping assess damaged hospitals and water systems as authorities work to keep essential health services running.
- On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia's Chocó department, prompting the government to declare a State of Emergency across 15 departments. As of August 24, officials reported at least 329 fatalities, 4,548 injuries, 426 missing, and 356 rescued.
- Roughly 282,700 people across 15 of 32 departments were affected, with over 134,342 homes damaged and at least 31,400 completely destroyed. Disrupted electricity, water, and telecommunications rendered numerous municipalities inaccessible and delayed damage assessments.
- At least 3,443 educational facilities were affected with 263 partially or completely collapsed, leaving roughly 75,000 students without safe access to education. Around 3,905 community centers were impacted alongside at least 413 damaged roads and five airports.
- Food insecurity escalated dramatically, with roughly 7 million experiencing pre-earthquake crisis now joined by approximately one-third of populations in Chocó and Valle del Cauca facing critical shortages. The Food and Agriculture Organization stresses a "critical information gap" regarding rural crop, livestock, and irrigation damage.
- United Nations partners mobilized healthcare and food assistance, with the World Food Programme positioned to reach approximately 100,000 civilians from Pereira and Quibdó. The International Organization for Migration launched a $30 million appeal for shelter and protection, though access gaps persist with communities remaining largely unvisited.
22 Articles
22 Articles
PAHO/WHO assists Colombia with recovery following major earthquake
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO), is providing technical cooperation to Colombian authorities to support the health response following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10.
Colombian singer Juanes joined again in the support campaigns for those affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook Colombia on August 10 and had its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. The artist used his digital platforms to promote solidarity and present ‘Marea Viva’, a strategy focused on the reconstruction of the department in the long term.
Colombia Declares State of Emergency Following Deadly Earthquake
Over the past week, the humanitarian crisis in Colombia has deteriorated significantly following the Mw 7.4–7.5 earthquake that struck the Chocó department on August 10. With the Colombian government declaring a State of Emergency across 15 departments, the nation continues to struggle with massive civilian casualties, immense damage to critical infrastructure, and the disruption of basic […]
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced that reconstruction efforts would begin in the areas affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on August 10.
There are currently 4,439 wounded and 240 people still missing, while 364 people have been rescued. More information: Colombia changes its allies in full seism: From Espriella court Israel, Morocco and the US with the Golan and the Sahara
Colombia faces years of rebuilding after earthquake devastation
Two weeks after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake devastated western Colombia, the emergency response is giving way to the long-term work of reconstruction. More than 320 people were killed, and tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. As President
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