What Happened
On August 10, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Chocó region of western Colombia. At least 200 people have been killed, and thousands have been injured—figures that continue to rise as rescue teams reach cut-off communities.
What We’re Seeing
Our teams are reporting people trapped in buildings, overwhelmed hospitals, and communities cut off by landslides. More than 1,678 homes have suffered partial or total damage, and 16 municipalities are without electricity.
“Our priority is to assess the needs of affected populations and mount a medical response as quickly as possible,” says Elise Lesieur, Director of International Operations at Doctors of the World-UK.
Our Work in Colombia
Doctors of the World has been present in Colombia since 1987—nearly four decades of working with populations affected by conflict, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
In the coming days, our response will focus on:
- Emergency medical care and patient referrals where hospital capacity is overwhelmed
- Mental health care and psychosocial support for survivors experiencing loss, displacement, and trauma
- Sexual and reproductive health services, including continuity of care for pregnant women
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene support where water supply systems have been damaged
- Protection services for children, older adults, people with disabilities, and female-headed households