Amidst Rubble and Community Kitchens: Buenaventura's Other Battle After 7.4 Quake

Buenaventura, a city in Colombia's Valle del Cauca department, is grappling with the aftermath of a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on August 10. While rescue operations continue, the focus has shifted to humanitarian aid, with social manager Jimena Toro playing a central role.

Toro has been on the ground since the crisis began, coordinating assistance and assessing the damage. She has met with community leaders to gather accurate and timely information about the impact. The city's Centro Integral del Cuidado, a significant infrastructure, was completely destroyed and is now out of service.

To address the immediate need for food, the regional government is implementing a dual strategy. This includes their regular "Comedores Valle" program, which feeds 7,000 families daily, and emergency "community kitchens" in areas without established dining halls. These kitchens aim to provide hot meals to vulnerable families who have lost everything.

The earthquake has claimed 13 lives in Buenaventura alone, highlighting the severity of the disaster. The ongoing efforts to provide essential aid underscore the challenges faced by the community as they begin to recover.