© Jaime SALDARRIAGA / AFP
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake—the strongest recorded in Colombia in a decade—struck the department of Chocó at approximately 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, August 10, causing widespread infrastructure damage and significant casualties. Doctors of the World teams on the ground are assessing needs and mobilizing emergency medical assistance for affected communities.
The epicenter was located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó—where Doctors of the World has an office and medical teams are already working. As of August 25, at least 331 people have been killed, more than 4,400 injured, and 240 remain missing. Tremors were felt as far as Bogotá and in several neighboring countries. All Doctors of the World staff in Colombia are safe.
“Our priority today is to assess the needs of affected populations and mount a medical response as quickly as possible. Our teams on the ground—particularly those near the epicenter in Quibdó—are already mobilized and reporting serious damage,” said Elise Lesieur, Director of International Operations for Doctors of the World.
Doctors of the World now has five medical response teams deployed across six priority areas, with reinforcement teams from Bogotá, Nariño, Cauca, and Antioquia. So far, our teams have reached approximately 1,275 people, delivering 678 medical consultations and 299 psychological care sessions.
Doctors of the World has been present in Colombia since 1987, working with populations affected by conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
Please donate to our Emergency Response Fund for Colombia to provide lifesaving healthcare and essential support for people impacted by this disaster.
This story was last updated on August 26, 2026.
