Solidarity with Colombia Following the Recent Earthquake
Washington, D.C., Bogotá – CEDA expresses its solidarity with the people of Colombia following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on August 10, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. The earthquake has caused a serious humanitarian emergency in the western part of the country, resulting in loss of life, affecting thousands of people, and causing significant damage to homes, hospitals, infrastructure, and transportation routes. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities, meaning the full extent of the disaster is not yet known.
CEDA extends its condolences to those who have lost loved ones and its solidarity to all affected communities and families. However, the disaster’s impacts will not be felt equally. Communities in Buenaventura and municipalities across Chocó already faced significant gaps in poverty reduction, infrastructure, connectivity, and access to basic services before the earthquake. These inequalities may increase both their exposure to the consequences of the disaster and the difficulties they face in receiving timely assistance.
Limited access and connectivity in some of the hardest-hit areas are also making it more difficult to assess needs and deliver assistance. At this initial stage, it is essential to ensure the provision of safe drinking water, food, medical care, temporary shelter, hygiene supplies, and other essential goods, while continuing search and rescue operations and working to restore basic services.
The response must also include migrants and refugees affected by the earthquake. Immigration status must not become a barrier to accessing emergency shelter, medical care, food assistance, rental subsidies, or other protection mechanisms. This inclusion must extend beyond the immediate response: migrants and refugees must also be able to access, on an equal basis, recovery, reconstruction, and economic assistance programs established in the coming months.
CEDA calls for a coordinated response among Colombian authorities, humanitarian organizations, the United Nations system, civil society, and affected communities, as well as international cooperation when it can provide specialized expertise, financial resources, and supplies for search and rescue operations, emergency response, and subsequent reconstruction.
We reaffirm our commitment to the lives, dignity, and rights of all those affected. The humanitarian response must be guided by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, and must prioritize the most vulnerable populations.
CEDA is making available to partners and allies a list of trusted resources to help channel assistance and locate resources available to people affected in Colombia. See our list of ways to help. We also encourage you to follow CEDA on social media for updates. If you can support the humanitarian response in Colombia, act now: share this statement and support verified humanitarian organizations working on the ground.
If you are able to support the humanitarian response in Venezuela, please share this statement and consider supporting verified humanitarian organizations working on the ground.
