UN offers support to Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake kills dozens

UN teams in Colombia are liaising with national authorities and the country’s disaster risk management agency to closely monitor the situation and support the national response.

Speaking in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the organization was following developments and stood ready to provide assistance.

“Our thoughts go out to all who have suffered as a result of this earthquake, and we stand ready to help as needed,” Mr. Haq said.

The earthquake struck at around 7:34am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar, in Chocó department, close to Valle del Cauca.

The UN has teams assessing the situation in the affected areas and is preparing, together with the Government, an initial emergency response meeting to determine needs and what assistance could be mobilized, according to the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, María José Torres Macho.

Listen to her interview with UN News’s Laura Quiñones below:

The tremor was felt across large parts of Colombia and in neighbouring countries, including Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela.

Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations as the death toll rises. Initial reports indicate that homes and other structures have collapsed in several towns, with people still trapped beneath the debris.

According to the official tally available at 2:45pm local time, 1,575 homes had been damaged and 37 destroyed, while 61 buildings had collapsed. Damage was also reported at 18 health centres and 52 educational facilities.

Mr. Haq also noted that limited connectivity in some rural areas is making it difficult to assess the full impact, meaning the scale of the damage is not yet clear.

The tragedy struck just three days after the inauguration of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who said the immediate priority is to rescue the people who remain trapped under the rubble.

Hardest hit

Pereira, a city of around 500,000, lies about 35 miles from the epicentre. As emergency teams search for survivors, the city’s mayor reported 18 dead there.

In Cali, the country’s third largest city, authorities have reported multiple landslides with people trapped and have requested reinforcements for rescue operations.

Damage has also affected transport infrastructure, with several airports in western Colombia suspending operations while facilities are inspected.

Evacuation orders were issued as far away as the capital, Bogotá, which sits 250 miles east of San José del Palmar.

The Government has activated its emergency response mechanisms and continues to assess damage and needs in affected areas.

Ready to respond

Several UN agencies have expressed solidarity with affected communities and said they are ready to assist, pending a Government request.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said it has the capacity to provide humanitarian assistance in support of the Government and national emergency authorities.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) – part of the wider UN system – said it is in close contact with national authorities.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is also monitoring the situation and stands ready to support the response, including providing assistance to those displaced. 

Solidarity

IOM Director General Amy Pope expressed solidarity with Colombia and said the organisation was prepared to support affected communities.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned that in these types of emergencies, girls, women and adolescents may face increased risks of gender-based violence and difficulties accessing health services. The agency expressed its solidarity with the most affected communities and assured that it is working to help ensure that essential services remain accessible.

The UN’s refugee agency (UNCHR) also said it is assessing the impact of the earthquake and stands ready to assist in coordination with authorities and partners.

The UN system in Colombia said its teams will remain in contact with national institutions as the full scale of humanitarian needs becomes clearer.