Colombia earthquake: Ombudsman warns of lack of victim census

Colombian Ombudsman Iris Marín has raised alarms about the critical lack of a census to accurately count earthquake victims, hindering aid efforts for thousands of families. Speaking from Quibdó, a city devastated by Monday's 7.4 magnitude earthquake, Marín emphasized the urgent need for precise data to understand the scope of the crisis.

"It is urgent to take the censuses because there is no real estimate of how many people are affected, how many people currently have nowhere to sleep," Marín told EFE. While search and rescue operations have concluded in Quibdó, the focus now shifts to assessing needs and identifying those displaced. The city has confirmed nine deaths, with the Chocó department reporting 13 fatalities.

Beyond the immediate human toll, Marín highlighted significant concerns regarding the healthcare system's capacity. Quibdó's main hospital, San Francisco de Asís, is operating at 160% overcapacity. The ombudsman also pointed to the precarious conditions at a local coliseum converted into a shelter for those who lost their homes. Additionally, classes have been suspended at the Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó, impacting higher education in the region.