Published on: 2026-08-21
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
August 20, 2026 Climate and Environment
Ten days after a powerful earthquake in the western part of Colombia, according to UN estimates, around 1.2 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. At the same time, rescuers and humanitarian missions still cannot reach some settlements.
To address the aftermath of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on August 10, humanitarian organizations are requesting 135 million dollars. The aid program is designed for 671 thousand people. In the first phase, primary attention will be given to the departments that were most severely affected: Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó, and Caldas.
Jean-Philippe Antolen, an emergency response specialist from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), addressing journalists via video link from Quibdó – the capital of the Chocó department and one of the disaster’s epicenters – at the UN headquarters in New York, noted that the full extent of the catastrophe is still becoming clear.
“There are communities we still haven’t been able to reach or have only visited once,” he said. “Absolutely everything remains urgently needed.”
Risk of building collapse
According to the latest data, more than 300 people died as a result of the earthquake, 426 are missing, and over 4500 were injured.
More than 163,000 houses have been damaged, nearly 30,000 completely destroyed. At least 413 roads have been damaged, which severely restricts access to some settlements.
Many of the still-standing houses may be unsafe. “From the outside, the building may seem intact, but if you go inside – everything is cracked,” Antolen explained. “People sleep outside because they are afraid the roof will collapse on them.”
He emphasized the urgent need for an inspection of the supporting structures so that families could return to their homes.
According to IOM data, at least 71 temporary shelter points have been set up in the departments of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Chocó, and Caldas, where about 4,700 people are taking refuge. The rest are staying with relatives, renting housing, or living in adapted premises.
Rains and the risk of epidemics
Heavy torrential rains that have passed through several affected areas (including the cities of Pereira, Buenaventura, and Quibdó) are significantly complicating the situation for people in temporary shelters.
“Due to the rains, the risk of spreading transmissible diseases, primarily dengue fever, is rapidly increasing,” warned Antolen.
In the Chocó department, flooding of water bodies and contact with contaminated water increase the risk of outbreaks of intestinal and respiratory diseases.
The UN is increasing the volume of aid
UN agencies are expanding support programs as new needs are identified:
IOM has started raising 30 million dollars. The funds will go towards providing housing for people, setting up accommodation points, water supply, and sanitation.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has started distributing emergency food kits in Pereira and Quibdó and is preparing to provide assistance in other areas. The organization is requesting 23 million dollars to help approximately 100,000 people.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is sending mobile teams to the Choco department to support pregnant women and victims of gender-based violence, as well as delivering hygiene and obstetric kits.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provides affected families with clean water and sanitary-hygienic supplies, and also works together with the country’s authorities to address child protection issues.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher allocated 5 million dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support operations led by the government of Colombia.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.