Colombia shifts from rescue to rebuilding as earthquake damage mounts

A week after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck San Jose del Palmar and spread destruction across cities like Pereira, Quibdo and Cali, Colombian officials report at least 289 fatalities and 4,187 injuries. The disaster damaged 127,557 homes, destroyed 26,945, and impaired hundreds of schools, health centres, roads, bridges and airports. Rescue operations have rescued 354 individuals, yet 143 remain unaccounted for according to government data, while an online registry lists thousands more as missing.

As the search for survivors tapers, the focus has moved to medium-term recovery, with shelters set up in stadiums and community halls and NGOs such as ActionAid and SARES coordinating food, water and clothing distribution. Volunteer Maximiliano Herrera stresses that hope persists, citing a possible survival window of up to 15 days. In poorer departments like Choco, residents criticize the slow governmental response and the lack of temporary housing solutions.