The Colombian government has announced a $10 million donation from the United Arab Emirates to support victims of the August 10 earthquake, which devastated parts of the country. President Abelardo De La Espriella confirmed the donation during a call with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The funds will be used to assist those affected by the disaster, including families who lost their homes and individuals still trapped under rubble. In a statement, De La Espriella expressed gratitude for the UAE’s solidarity and emphasized that the aid would strengthen ties between the two nations. The earthquake struck near Cali, causing widespread destruction and leaving over 66 fatalities, 14 missing persons, and more than 50 buildings collapsed. Rescue operations continue in areas such as Pereira, where teams have been working tirelessly to locate survivors. Among the casualties was a woman who pleaded desperately for help while trapped beneath debris, highlighting the severity of the situation. The government has deployed heavy machinery and international assistance, including equipment from China, to aid in search-and-rescue efforts. In response to the crisis, De La Espriella visited several affected regions, including Pereira, Dosquebradas, Manizales, and Armenia, to assess the damage firsthand. During these visits, he met with local officials and community members, reaffirming his commitment to supporting the affected populations. He also announced plans to declare an economic emergency, a measure intended to provide additional tools for the government to address the financial fallout of the disaster. This declaration, set to be formalized within days, aims to expedite recovery efforts and ensure resources reach those in need without bureaucratic delays. As part of immediate relief measures, the president announced temporary reductions in utility bills for three months for residents in the affected areas. These cuts apply to all public services, including electricity, water, and gas, and are meant to alleviate the financial burden on families displaced by the quake. Additionally, subsidies for rental housing have been introduced for those unable to remain in their damaged residences. These initiatives are being coordinated through regional authorities and the Ministry of Housing to ensure efficient distribution. The government has also taken steps to bolster medical infrastructure. Bogotá activated a mobile hospital equipped with 40 beds, along with critical care equipment, ventilators, and blood supplies, to support hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of injured patients. The city’s health department has also mobilized its laboratories to process samples and assist in diagnosing injuries sustained during the disaster. Medical professionals from both public and private institutions in Bogotá have pledged to deploy specialists to affected regions as needed, ensuring timely access to specialized care. International cooperation has played a key role in the response. The UAE’s $10 million contribution is among several donations received by the Colombian government, reflecting global solidarity with the nation. Other countries, including El Salvador and Guatemala, have also offered assistance, underscoring the cross-border nature of humanitarian efforts following large-scale disasters. Meanwhile, the government continues to work with local authorities to conduct detailed assessments of structural damage and prioritize rebuilding efforts. The economic emergency declaration, once finalized, will grant the administration greater flexibility in managing resources and implementing targeted interventions. According to Minister of Finance Miguel Gómez, the move includes postponing the payment of income tax for individuals residing in affected zones for one month. The government has also ruled out increasing taxes to fund the emergency response, instead relying on budget adjustments and cost-cutting measures to allocate necessary funds. These actions aim to balance fiscal responsibility with the urgent need to support communities recovering from the disaster. Efforts to locate missing persons continue, with authorities maintaining a comprehensive list of those reported as missing in Pereira. Local governments have established hotlines for families seeking information about loved ones, encouraging them to provide detailed descriptions to facilitate identification. Search teams, supported by trained dogs and advanced technology, remain active in the field, working alongside firefighters and rescue personnel to maximize the chances of finding survivors. With the scale of the disaster evident, the government has committed to long-term recovery strategies, including infrastructure repairs, financial aid for vulnerable households, and support for small businesses impacted by the earthquake. These measures reflect a broader effort to rebuild not only physical structures but also the resilience of communities affected by the tragedy. The ongoing coordination between national and local authorities underscores the complexity of responding to a disaster of this magnitude.
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