Bogotá, August 13: The death toll from the earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has risen to 265. The disaster has left 3,494 people injured, with 496 still reported missing. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is actively supporting ongoing relief and rescue operations led by the government.
OCHA reported significant damage to numerous homes and public infrastructure due to the earthquake. Assessments of humanitarian needs in the affected areas are still underway. Relief efforts are facing challenges, particularly in communication, transportation, and access to government facilities.
Currently, the highest priorities include providing temporary shelter, food assistance, safe drinking water, and health services to those affected. The UN and its partner organizations are mobilizing resources for relief efforts. The World Food Programme (WFP) is sending food supplies, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is dispatching medical supplies from its warehouses in the country to the impacted regions.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, announced on Wednesday that preparations are underway to allocate funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). He stated that as soon as a complete assessment of the damages is available, the UN will issue an appeal for earthquake relief assistance in Colombia. The needs of the affected population are expected to be extremely severe.
According to the news agency Xinhua, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella reported that over 53,000 people have been affected by this disaster. To expedite assistance to those impacted, he plans to declare a state of economic emergency. The government’s priority remains the search for missing individuals and ongoing rescue operations.
Earlier, on August 11, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed condolences to Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula Escobar. Jaishankar wrote on the social media platform X, “I am deeply saddened by the significant loss of life and property due to the earthquake in Colombia. My heartfelt condolences go out to families who have lost loved ones. I also pray for the swift recovery of the injured. India is ready to provide all possible assistance.”
–
Leave a Comment