UN Geneva - Multimedia Newsroom : Colombia earthquake update

Colombia earthquake: International teams ready to support, says UN

As earthquake rescue efforts across western Colombia continued on Tuesday, UN agencies said that they stood ready to help “with everything we've got” if and when the request came from the authorities.

Official data indicated that 1,495 people have been injured and at least 126 died in Monday’s 7.4 magnitude quake which flattened homes and buildings.

“Nearly 5,000 homes have been damaged and 387 have been destroyed; 61 buildings have collapsed and more than 550 educational institutions, 24 health facilities and more than 350 community centres have [been] affected,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office, OCHA. “Those are official government figures, we know they are being updated as more information comes in.”

At least 12 aftershocks above magnitude 2.0 have since been recorded since the initial earthquake struck at 7:34am local time. Its its epicentre near San José del Palmar, in Chocó department, close to Valle del Cauca.

The tremor was felt across large parts of Colombia and in neighbouring countries, including Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela.

The UN system already has teams assessing the situation in the affected areas and is preparing, together with the Government, an initial emergency response meeting to determine needs and what assistance could be mobilized, according to the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, María José Torres Macho.

“There has not been any official request for international assistance,” noted Mr. Laerke. “Should that happen, the entire UN system and, of course, humanitarians in particular stand ready to support with everything we've got," he added.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) cited official Colombian data from late Monday indicating that damage has been reported in 24 health facilities across six departments. Valle del Cauca department experienced the “most significant health infrastructure impacts” and particularly the city of Cali, said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic. Key facilities affected include Hospital Universitario del Valle, where part of a tower housing cardiology and paediatric services collapsed, and Clinica Nuestra, which was fully evacuated.

“Our office in the country in Colombia activated its emergency response and its field teams and teams have been deployed to affected areas, including Cali and Chocó, to support health sector assessment and coordination,” Mr. Jasarevic said, briefing journalist in Geneva.

According to the Colombian Geological Service, the quake’s epicentre was at a depth of about 103 kilometres (64 miles), and was the largest seismic event recorded in the country this century.

Pereira, a city of around 500,000, lies about 35 miles from the epicentre. As emergency teams search for survivors, the city’s mayor reported 18 dead there.

In Cali, the country’s third largest city, authorities have reported multiple landslides with people trapped and have requested reinforcements for rescue operations.

Damage has also affected transport infrastructure, with several airports in western Colombia suspending operations while facilities are inspected.

Evacuation orders were issued as far away as the capital, Bogotá, which is 250 miles (402 miles) east of San José del Palmar.

The UN's Resident Coordinator Ms. Torres Macho said that once needs are identified, the UN system could provide support particularly in food security, health, water and sanitation, as well as protection for children and families in vulnerable situations.

The presence of UN agencies in several of the affected departments could also allow existing programmes, supplies and logistical capacity to be redirected towards the new emergency. Ms. Torres Macho highlighted in particular the World Food Programme’s logistical capacity near the affected areas.

Colombia earthquake update - OCHA, WHO

Similar Stories