A deadly 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Western Colombia on August 10, killing at least 111 people and injuring dozens of others and leaving a trail of destroyed buildings.
As an aid to the earthquake-hit country, the United States has announced $15.5 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to assist relief efforts.
The earthquake was centered near San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó region, about 400 kilometres west of Bogotá. It was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Colombia in the 21st century.
In the cities of Cali, Pereira, Quibbo , and Manizales, the tremor struck and hundreds of buildings were damaged or destroyed.
The United States Emergency Aid for Earthquake Victims
The US emergency assistance will be to help address urgent humanitarian needs following the disaster. Funds for the earthquake relief will be allocated for shelter, food, and protection for the victims, the report says.
The announcement comes as Colombian officials and rescue teams continue searching damaged areas for survivors. Emergency workers, soldiers, firefighters, and volunteers have been sent to the areas with the most damaged infrastructure and disrupted communications because of it.
Widespread damage throughout Western Colombia
The earthquake caused major damage in several parts of western Colombia. More than 1,600 buildings were reported to have been damaged, with hundreds of them completely destroyed. Hospitals and other critical infrastructure were also affected, putting pressure on emergency services.
Cali, one of Colombia’s largest cities, sustained heavy damage and casualties. Rural communities in the Choco region have also been affected because they are remote and can’t get to the city.
The disaster also disrupted transportation, and airports in parts of Western Colombia temporarily closed for safety checks.
Residents are being warned about the threat of aftershocks coming after the main earthquake could still occur, and officials have warned residents to be on alert because aftershocks may continue to strike after the main earthquake.
Rescue Operations Continue
Rescue teams will comb through damaged buildings because they believe people may be hiding in the rubble. Volunteers and emergency personnel have already rescued survivors from collapsed structures.
Colombian authorities declared a state of emergency to speed up the deployment of resources and coordinate relief operations. The government has announced measures to assist displaced families and people whose homes were damaged.
The US aid package serves to build on the international response as Colombia is dealing with the immediate humanitarian need of the earthquake. Other countries in the region are also helping.
For families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, the priority remains finding survivors and securing basic necessities. There will be international assistance for Colombia’s emergency response and recovery effort as rescue and recovery operations proceed.
Note that earthquake casualties are changing as rescue teams move to more affected areas, so the death toll may change.
