Colombia receives 640 tons of international aid for earthquake victims

Colombia has received 640 tons of international humanitarian aid for victims of the August 10 earthquake. Assistance from a dozen countries, including food, medicine, and potable water, has arrived through the airports of Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and Pereira. The Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN) detailed that the aid entered between last Wednesday and Tuesday. Governments, international organizations, cooperation entities, and humanitarian organizations from the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, El Salvador, Peru, Israel, India, Paraguay, China, and Spain sent the supplies.

To expedite reception, the DIAN activated a special plan at key entry points, dedicating over 2,000 officials to facilitate customs procedures and supply mobilization. "To ensure aid reaches the affected population promptly, we provided priority and uninterrupted attention at the country's air entry points," stated DIAN Director General Andrés Felipe Velásquez. The received supplies include food, medicine, water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, power generators, tools, materials for temporary shelters, and specialized equipment.

Part of this assistance is reaching the Chocó department, the earthquake's epicenter, specifically in the municipality of San José del Palmar. Its capital, Quibdó, and other municipalities also suffered damage. In this context, Argentina sent a contingent of 32 members of its Armed Forces, equipped with a water purification plant, field kitchen, cold chain equipment, radio and satellite communications, and 7,500 individual emergency rations. The Argentine team, deployed in Quibdó, will support water collection, purification, and distribution, logistics, and communications for hospitals, as well as feeding the affected population. Their arrival was coordinated with Colombian authorities and the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD).

The assistance is particularly crucial in Chocó, one of Colombia's most impoverished departments. In 2024, 67.4% of its population lived in monetary poverty, the highest rate among Colombian departments, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). As of Wednesday noon, the emergency has resulted in 314 deaths, according to a balance presented by President Abelardo de la Espriella.

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To ensure aid reaches the affected population promptly, we provided priority and uninterrupted attention at the country's air entry points.