Colombia Earthquake Crisis Escalates: Over 266 Dead, 11,789 Homes Destroyed

Heavy rainfall and a recent earthquake have intensified a humanitarian emergency in Colombia, affecting 53,816 people across 13 departments and 401 municipalities. Official reports as of 13 August list 266 deaths and 11,789 homes destroyed, with the worst impacts in Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó, and Caldas. Rural communities remain hardest hit, as access constraints hinder full damage assessments and delivery of aid. Essential services—including electricity, water, health care, and telecommunications—have been disrupted, and many schools have suspended classes. Humanitarian partners are conducting rapid assessments to identify priority needs, while the Colombian government and the Humanitarian Country Team work to strengthen the response. A US$5 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund is being deployed to support life‑saving interventions in hard‑to‑reach rural areas, where institutional presence is limited. Coordination between national and local authorities and humanitarian actors remains critical to ensure timely and effective assistance for the most affected populations.