Colombia Registry Sets Up Temporary Service Points After Earthquake Damage

Colombia's National Registry is deploying mobile units and special sessions in Pereira to serve citizens after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake caused severe damage to its main office. The Registry's headquarters in Pereira is no longer operational, forcing the entity to adapt its services amidst the ongoing emergency.

National Registrar Hernán Penagos confirmed that a mobile unit is circulating through various sectors of Pereira to bring services closer to the affected population. These services include civil registry, identification, and the issuance of national ID cards and identity cards, all provided free of charge to those impacted by the seismic event.

In the Eje Cafetero region, which includes Pereira, the Registry has already processed 1,493 transactions in Caldas and Risaralda. Penagos stated that additional satellite locations are being established to ensure the continuity of national services. The Registry is also prioritizing the processing of death certificates and new identity documents for individuals who lost theirs in the destruction of their homes.

Penagos emphasized the importance of these services, especially for survivors who lost their identification documents. The Registry is working closely with other authorities, including emergency responders involved in search and rescue operations, to facilitate access to essential documentation during this critical period.