Colombia earthquake: 1.2 million need aid as some communities remain out of reach

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on 10 August, leaving at least 300 people dead, 426 missing and over 4,500 injured. The disaster has left more than 134,000 homes damaged and nearly 30,000 completely destroyed, with at least 413 roads affected and access to some communities severely limited. Humanitarian organizations are now calling for $148.1 million to address the growing crisis, aiming to provide aid to 671,000 people primarily in the departments of Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó and Caldas. Jean-Philippe Antolin, a humanitarian response and recovery specialist with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), spoke from Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, one of the hardest-hit regions. He noted that the full scale of the disaster is still being assessed, with many communities remaining inaccessible or having only been reached once. “Pretty much everything is still urgent,” he said during a press briefing in New York. Many families, even those whose homes appear intact, face serious safety concerns. “From outside, some might not look affected. But if you go inside, you will see cracks everywhere,” he added. “People are sleeping outside for fear of the roof collapsing over their heads.” Structural assessments are deemed essential before families can return to their homes. IOM has identified at least 71 temporary collective accommodation sites across the four key departments, housing approximately 4,700 individuals. Others are staying with relatives, renting accommodations or living in makeshift shelters. Antolin cautioned against turning formal shelters into primary points of assistance, warning that this could neglect those who remain in less visible locations. Compounding the challenges, recent heavy rainfall in areas such as Pereira, Buenaventura and Quibdó has worsened conditions for those in temporary or improvised shelters. “The rain is also making it easier for vector-borne diseases to spread, such as dengue,” Antolin warned. In Chocó, overflowing water sources and exposure to contaminated water are raising the risk of diarrheal and respiratory illnesses. At least 50 hospitals have sustained severe damage, while disruptions to electricity, water, oxygen, medical supplies and transportation are further straining already overwhelmed health services. The long-term impact on rural livelihoods remains uncertain. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted a critical information gap regarding damage to crops, livestock, artisanal fishing, irrigation systems and harvests. Many rural, riverine and coastal communities rely heavily on family farming and artisanal fishing, but the full extent of the devastation is yet to be determined. FAO also warned that the timing of the earthquake, coinciding with crop planting and harvesting in certain areas, could disrupt agricultural cycles, potentially leaving families with fewer resources for future seasons. In response to the unfolding crisis, UN agencies are scaling up their efforts. IOM has launched a $30 million appeal to cover shelter, accommodation, water and sanitation, health, protection and recovery over the next six months. The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun distributing emergency food aid in Pereira and Quibdó, with plans to extend its operations to other affected regions. It is seeking $23 million to assist approximately 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) is deploying mobile teams in Chocó to support survivors of gender-based violence and pregnant women, offering hygiene and maternal care supplies.