Bogot¡: The humanitarian effects of a powerful earthquake in Colombia could be significantly greater than currently reported as emergency teams have yet to fully assess remote and conflict-affected areas, the UN's resident coordinator in the country warned Tuesday. Maria Jose Torres Macho said the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, whose epicenter was in the Pacific region of Choco, has affected 14 of Colombia's 32 departments.
According to Anadolu Agency, Torres Macho emphasized that the situation is evolving and updates are ongoing as more information becomes available. She noted that while authorities have gathered substantial data about damage in major cities, the impact on rural and remote areas remains uncertain. "We don't know exactly what is the impact in the rural, remote areas," she stated, highlighting the potential for unreported damage and unmet needs.
Search and rescue operations are prioritized, with humanitarian agencies preparing to provide temporary shelter, health services, food security, and protection. Torres Macho mentioned that Choco and Valle del Cauca, including the city of Cali, are among the areas receiving humanitarian support. The UN is leveraging remote-sensing technology to assess structural and socioeconomic damage and is deploying additional staff from Bogot¡ to the affected regions.
She further explained that the UN has been invited by national authorities to complement the national response, with existing resources being realigned and additional humanitarian funding under consideration. UN spokesman Farhan Haq reported that assessments are ongoing, with authorities noting thousands of injuries and a rising death toll. "Initial reports indicate that 12 departments have been impacted by the earthquake, with thousands of homes damaged and hundreds destroyed," Haq noted.
Haq added that infrastructure, including health and education facilities, roads, and airports, has also been affected. The government is leading and coordinating the response, with shelter, food, safe drinking water, and healthcare identified as the most urgent needs. The World Food Program (WFP) is closely monitoring the situation and remains in contact with national authorities and humanitarian partners. Following a government request for international assistance, WFP has begun mobilizing support and is ready to provide food assistance and cash-based response mechanisms to the affected populations.
WFP reported that nearly 4,500 metric tons of food are available through pre-positioned stocks in Colombia, strategically located to enable rapid response if necessary.