One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, the nation is transitioning from urgent search-and-rescue efforts to a long-term recovery phase. While rescue teams continue to operate in some areas, the window for finding survivors has narrowed significantly, prompting officials to prioritize housing, aid distribution, and infrastructure reconstruction.
The disaster has had a devastating impact across 15 of Colombia’s 32 provinces. Official reports confirm at least 289 deaths and 4,187 injuries. The destruction is widespread, with 26,945 homes completely destroyed and another 127,557 damaged. Essential infrastructure has also been severely compromised, including 285 health centers, 2,838 educational facilities, 407 roads, 92 water systems, 44 bridges, and five airports.
The earthquake originated in San Jose del Palmar, a rural town in the Pacific region, before causing extensive damage in cities such as Cali, Pereira, and Quibdo. Emergency responders have successfully saved 354 lives over the past week. However, government figures indicate that 143 people remain missing, while an unofficial database, Colombia Te Busca, suggests the number of unaccounted individuals could exceed 3,000.
Sergeant Joel Bustamente of the Bogota Fire Department, who is leading operations in Cali, described the past week as a grueling period of constant searching. He noted that the focus has shifted toward demolition and recovery as the likelihood of finding survivors diminishes. In specific locations, such as the seven-storey Vanessa Building in Cali, active search efforts have been suspended in favor of recovering bodies, according to Enrique Zapata of the health NGO SARES.
Despite the grim outlook, some volunteers remain hopeful. Maximiliano Herrera, a rescuer in Cali, stated that teams are operating under the possibility that the survival window could extend up to 15 days. These local efforts have been bolstered by international teams arriving from the United States, Israel, and Mexico.
Shelter remains a primary concern for the estimated 120,000 affected families. Egido Sanz, country director for ActionAid in Colombia, emphasized that providing refuge is the immediate priority. In cities like Cali, local authorities have repurposed community centers and sports stadiums into shelters. Veronica Echeverry, who manages a shelter in a Cali community hall, noted that while they are well-equipped to distribute food, water, and hygiene supplies, many displaced residents from wealthier areas have opted to stay with family and friends.
The situation is far more dire in Choco, the country’s poorest department and the earthquake’s epicenter. Already struggling with armed conflict, drug trafficking, and illegal mining, the region is now facing a compounded crisis. Residents in Quibdo, where over 2,700 homes were damaged, have expressed frustration over the perceived lack of a national institutional response to provide temporary or permanent housing.
Economic recovery poses another significant challenge. Small business owners, such as 65-year-old Nestor Martinez, whose bicycle shop in Buenaventura was destroyed, are struggling to rebuild without insurance. Martinez estimates his losses at approximately 350 million pesos, or $111,000, highlighting the financial strain facing thousands of citizens.
International support has begun to arrive, with the European Union pledging 2 million euros ($2.3m) and the United States committing $15.5m in aid. President Abelardo de la Espriella has promised a reconstruction fund to address the damage, which his finance minister estimates will cost at least $6.4 billion.
To fund these efforts, the president declared an economic emergency, granting him the authority to implement new taxes. However, he has opted to secure a $450 million credit line from the World Bank instead. The president has faced criticism for his handling of the disaster, including his decision to limit international aid to teams from the US, Israel, and El Salvador, as well as his refusal to coordinate a formal handover process with the previous administration. The report also notes that schools, hospitals, and businesses, the full scale of the devastation continues to be assessed, while official data reveals vast destruction of homes. The report also notes that and response teams’ priorities are shifting towards a medium-term emergency, he added that the chances of finding life under the rubble have dropped significantly. The report also notes that others still hope, while the chances of finding life under the rubble drop sharply after the first 72 hours following an earthquake. The report also notes that receiving and distributing donations of food, water, hygiene supplies and clothes, the refuge doubles as an aid collection point. The report also notes that largely because they come from wealthier areas and can depend on family and friends for housing, but she also noted that few of those who have lost their homes have needed to go to shelters. The report also notes that today, only two people are staying at the shelter, which has 11 beds. The report also notes that in places like Choco – Colombia’s poorest department – the earthquake has hit especially hard due to existing challenges. The report also notes that in the city of roughly 130,000 people, some 2,723 homes were damaged, 1,337 of which are now uninhabitable.
Source: Aljazeera
