Colombian advocate warns census needed for earthquake victims

Colombian Public Advocate Iris Marín has raised alarms over the absence of a census in Chocó, a region severely impacted by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. Marín stated that this data gap prevents authorities from accurately identifying the number of affected families and their specific needs, complicating relief efforts.

During a tour of Quibdó, the capital of Chocó, Marín emphasized the urgency of conducting a census. "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," she told EFE. While search and rescue operations have concluded, the focus must now shift to assessing the full extent of the damage and the needs of the displaced population.

The earthquake has resulted in at least 265 deaths nationwide, with 3,494 injured and 496 reported missing. President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared an "economic emergency" to manage the crisis. However, Marín noted a discrepancy between national and regional figures, underscoring the necessity of a census for accurate reporting.

Compounding the crisis, Quibdó's main hospital, San Francisco de Asís, is operating at 160% capacity. The hospital requires stable power and internet connectivity to maintain services. Meanwhile, a local coliseum has been repurposed as a shelter, but Marín described its conditions as precarious for the numerous families seeking refuge. The advocate also pointed to the disruption of classes at the Universidad Tecnológica del Chocó and called for psychosocial support, particularly for children and adolescents affected by the disaster. The Defensoría is also verifying the situation in 32 indigenous settlements.

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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.