UN Scales Up Aid After Colombia Quake
The United Nations is expanding humanitarian assistance in western Colombia to reach more than 100,000 people still in need following last week’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake, according to the latest update from the world body.
As of 18 August, authorities had reported 304 deaths, about 4,400 injuries and 426 people missing. More than 26,500 homes were destroyed and more than 186,000 people affected across 15 departments and 472 municipalities. The quake also damaged 1,631 educational institutions, leaving more than 75,000 students without safe access to school; 263 schools were partially or completely collapsed or deemed at imminent risk.
The World Food Programme is seeking $23 million to provide food assistance to 100,000 people over the next three months. More than 2,000 people received food in Pereira and Quibdó on Sunday alone. WFP plans to expand operations this week using existing stocks and its network of field offices and logistics hubs in Cali, Quibdó and Medellín. In remote areas where markets are not functioning, the agency is prioritising direct food distributions; in urban centres where markets are recovering, it is preparing to scale up cash assistance so families can buy what they need while supporting local businesses.
Humanitarian access remains constrained in some of the worst-hit zones. Landslides and damage to at least 16 roads and 10 bridges are slowing the movement of relief teams and supplies, particularly in Chocó. The presence of non-state armed groups is also limiting access in certain rural areas.
The earthquake struck regions already under pressure. Before the disaster nearly seven million people in Colombia faced moderate or severe food insecurity; in Chocó and Valle del Cauca, two of the hardest-hit departments, close to one in three people were already food insecure. Conflict and displacement have compounded the loss of homes, livelihoods and essential services.
OCHA has identified Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Caldas as priority areas. Urgent needs include food, shelter, safe water, healthcare and education. UN agencies and partners are supporting government-led efforts through coordination groups covering health, shelter, water and sanitation, food security, protection and education in emergencies in cities including Quibdó, Pereira, Armenia, Cali and Manizales.
In Quibdó, WFP, UNICEF and others have provided food to hundreds of families and distributed hygiene kits. UNDP is working with national authorities to use satellite imagery for damage assessment and early recovery planning. WFP has placed mobile storage units on standby and can draw additional supplies from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama.
The International Organization for Migration has warned that displacement, family separation and loss of livelihoods increase the risk of human trafficking. Criminal networks may target people in temporary shelters with fraudulent offers of jobs or assistance. Protection teams are focusing on safe spaces for children, family reunification, prevention of gender-based violence and psychosocial support.
WFP Country Director Nils Grede said the immediate solidarity shown by communities and businesses had been extraordinary, but recovery will require sustained support in the weeks and months ahead.
