A powerful earthquake has devastated communities across western Colombia, killing hundreds of people and leaving many more without safe homes. For families already affected by conflict, displacement and other crises, the earthquake has brought yet another devastating blow.
Earthquake in Colombia
Earthquake in Colombia
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is responding in some of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake.
What is happening?
On 10 August, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia. Hundreds of people have been killed, thousands have been injured, and homes, schools, health centres and other critical infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed.
Some of the worst affected areas include Chocó, Caldas, Quindío, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca. The full extent of the damage is still becoming clear, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
The earthquake has struck a country already facing severe humanitarian needs. Before the disaster, more than nine million people across Colombia were already in need of humanitarian assistance, including people affected by conflict and displacement, refugees and migrants, and communities hit by floods and droughts.
For some families, this is not the first time they have lost everything. Communities that have already endured years of conflict and repeated displacement are now left with destroyed homes, disrupted services and an uncertain road to recovery.
What NRC is doing
NRC teams are responding across affected areas and working to reach communities with the most urgent needs.
- We are providing emergency shelter support, including mattresses, blankets and cooking kits for people staying in temporary shelters in the department of Chocó.
- We are providing cash assistance and rehabilitating collective shelters to help families meet their immediate needs and access safer shelters in the department of Valle del Cauca.
- Our teams are assessing damage and humanitarian needs in affected communities, including the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca and Antioquia, prioritising areas that are harder to reach.
- We are preparing further emergency assistance, including shelter, water and sanitation support, cash and vouchers, and support for children whose education has been disrupted.
- We are calling for sustained humanitarian funding so that immediate assistance and longer-term recovery can reach communities affected by the earthquake, including those already living through conflict and displacement.
NRC has worked in Colombia since 2005. We will continue working alongside affected communities as they recover and rebuild.