Bogotá, August 20: Humanitarian aid sent by India arrived in Bogotá on Thursday. It has been handed over to local authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Bogotá announced on the social media platform X, “The first shipment of humanitarian aid from the Government of India has arrived and has been delivered to local authorities to assist Colombia after the earthquake on August 10. India stands in solidarity with the people of Colombia and reaffirms its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.”
Last week, India dispatched the first shipment of relief materials weighing 20 metric tons to Colombia. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar expressed India’s solidarity with the Colombian people during this challenging time.
Dr. Jaishankar posted on X, “The first shipment of 20 metric tons of relief materials has been sent to Colombia to assist in ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake. This aid includes medicines and medical equipment, temporary shelters, sanitation materials, and other essential supplies needed after the disaster. India stands in solidarity with the people of Colombia during this difficult time.”
This assistance highlights India‘s role as a first responder during global natural disasters. The aid was dispatched following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Colombia.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella signed a decree on Wednesday declaring a 30-day economic, social, and ecological emergency in parts of the country affected by the earthquake on August 10.
The decree, signed after a cabinet meeting in Bogotá, includes 15 affected departments such as Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Caldas.
The President stated that the emergency measures aim not only to rebuild damaged homes but also to restore essential public infrastructure, including businesses, schools, and hospitals.
According to data released by Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management by Wednesday evening, the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in western Colombia resulted in 319 fatalities, 4,469 injuries, and 260 people reported missing. A total of 364 individuals have been rescued.
The agency noted that 476 municipalities across 15 departments were affected, impacting approximately 272,830 people.
Leave a Comment