Israeli aid delegation begins work in Colombia after deadly earthquake

An Israeli humanitarian delegation, dubbed the "Alliance of Brothers," has commenced operations in Colombia following a devastating earthquake. The 80-member team, dispatched at the request of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, is a joint effort involving the Home Front Command, the Defense Ministry, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Currently, Colombia has requested rescue teams from only the US, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Israel. The Israeli forces are working closely with local professionals and officials at multiple disaster sites. Their primary focus is on two major locations, where they are actively engaged in locating and rescuing individuals trapped beneath rubble. One critical site is the city's university hospital, which sustained significant damage. Home Front Command engineers are conducting search and rescue operations while simultaneously working to restore the functionality of the damaged medical wing.

Beyond immediate rescue efforts, the delegation is undertaking mapping and building assessment tasks to establish priorities for the ongoing response. They are also instrumental in setting up data management systems to aid in situational assessments and decision-making, crucial for navigating the complexities of the disaster relief process. Colombian authorities reported on Friday morning that approximately 400 people are still unaccounted for, nearly four days after the earthquake struck. The quake's epicenter was in the Chocó department, located on the country's Pacific coast. The disaster has claimed hundreds of lives and left over 4,000 people injured.