Colombia — humanitarian situation

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó Department on 10 August 2026 at 07:34 local time, marking the strongest seismic event recorded in Colombia this century OCHA. The earthquake has affected at least 135,179 people across 15 departments and 437 municipalities, with 183 aftershocks reported as of 14 August OCHA. According to updated figures, the disaster has resulted in 266 deaths, over 3,500 injuries, and the destruction of more than 45,000 homes, with the most severely affected departments being Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó, and Caldas IRC, OCHA. Heavy rainfall following the earthquake has compounded the emergency, affecting 53,816 people across 13 departments and destroying 11,789 homes OCHA. Colombia has declared a national state of emergency in response to the crisis. The earthquake struck regions already experiencing significant humanitarian needs. Prior to the disaster, the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan estimated 6.9 million people in need nationwide, with 1.2 million prioritized for assistance in Chocó and Valle del Cauca alone (Health Cluster). More than 300,000 children now face heightened risk of recruitment by armed groups as the earthquake disrupts schooling and deepens poverty in conflict-affected areas IRC. The Norwegian Refugee Council notes that over nine million people—including survivors of armed conflict, refugees, migrants, and communities affected by severe floods and droughts—were already reliant on humanitarian assistance before the earthquake, with roughly 10 per cent residing in the most affected regions NRC. The UN System and Humanitarian Country Team are aligning technical, logistical, and operational resources to support government-led relief efforts in coordination with national and local authorities, including the National Disaster Risk Management Unit, Ministry of Health, and departmental governments OCHA. The IRC has launched health and child protection responses in the affected areas IRC. International support includes SEK 5 million from Sweden through UNHCR for urgent needs and assistance to displaced populations (Government of Sweden), and NOK 10 million from Norway to the Red Cross Movement for emergency healthcare and protective services (Government of Norway).