Emergency in Chocó: New shelters and Starlink internet established after Quibdó shelter floods

Families displaced by a recent earthquake in Quibdó, Colombia, faced further hardship when heavy rains on Thursday caused severe flooding at their temporary shelter. The boxing coliseum, which had been repurposed to house those who lost their homes in the Aug. 10 earthquake, was inundated around 10:40 p.m.

The torrential downpour not only affected the shelter but also caused damage to computer equipment and official documents at the Municipal Mayor's Office. In response, Quibdó Mayor Rafael Bolaños quickly coordinated an urgent evacuation of the affected families to another coliseum within the city that has better structural integrity. The municipal administration also requested immediate supplies of individual tents, additional portable toilets, and increased drinking water.

In parallel, the Chocó Governorate and the National Disaster Risk Management System have established a network of temporary shelters across multiple municipalities. These include community centers, rural educational centers, and other designated facilities in areas like Unión Panamericana, El Carmen de Atrato, Santa Bárbara, Santa Rita, Medio Baudó, Medio San Juan, Condoto, Lloró, and Cantón de San Pablo.

To combat the isolation of the affected regions and improve communication, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) has deployed Starlink satellite internet access points. These strategically located connection points aim to help citizens communicate with loved ones and emergency services, mitigating the communication challenges in the disaster-stricken areas.