On August 10, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia—the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in the last decade. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the Chocó Department, with damage also reported in nearby cities including Cali, Manizales and Pereira. The earthquake has caused widespread devastation, with more than 200 deaths reported and many more people injured—numbers that are likely to rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue. Damage to homes, health facilities, schools and transportation networks has disrupted access to essential services, including healthcare, and humanitarian needs are expected to grow as assessments continue and the full impact of the disaster becomes clearer.
International Medical Corps is coordinating closely with government authorities and local partners in the aftermath of the earthquake. Drawing on our in-country network, we are supporting ongoing assessments, identifying priority humanitarian needs, and preparing to mobilize prepositioned emergency supplies and assets from our logistics hubs. Early reports indicate gaps in healthcare services, safe drinking water, hygiene supplies and nutrition support, particularly in communities where damage to health facilities and critical infrastructure is limiting access to assistance. We are working closely with local partners to address priority humanitarian needs and stand ready to mobilize additional resources should broader international support be requested.
Your gift will directly support International Medical Corps' ability to procure and deliver urgently needed relief supplies—including safe water, hygiene items and nutritional support—and to deploy and sustain staff who can respond quickly as needs become clearer in the days ahead.
*Please note for recurring donations: Once we have determined that the community can continue to respond to the after-effects of this emergency without us, we will scale back our response efforts. At that time, we will redirect your future donations where they are needed most, to help us respond to future emergencies caused by conflict, disaster or disease.
