U.S. raises aid to Colombia to $26.5 million after 7.4 earthquake

The United States announced an additional $11 million in humanitarian aid for Colombia on Friday, bringing the total U.S. assistance to $26.5 million in the wake of a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the nation on August 10th. The State Department confirmed the increased support, emphasizing its commitment to addressing the needs stemming from the devastating seismic event.

In addition to financial aid, the U.S. is leveraging the capabilities of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). This involves utilizing SOUTHCOM's resources to facilitate the transportation of critical emergency supplies. These vital provisions are being moved from a pre-positioned warehouse in Miami directly to Colombia, ensuring timely delivery to affected areas.

The State Department stated it continues to coordinate closely with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and the Colombian government. This collaboration is crucial for assessing the full scope of the damage and effectively responding to the ongoing crisis. The announcement highlighted the Trump administration's swift response to the disaster.

The earthquake's epicenter was located in the Chocó department, one of Colombia's poorest regions, and its tremors were felt strongly across central and western parts of the country. The disaster has prompted a significant mobilization of resources from state agencies, humanitarian organizations, businesses, and individual citizens. Efforts are underway to provide aid, food, equipment, and other essential items to those impacted. Four days after the quake, search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, and damage assessments are still progressing amidst a high number of victims and missing persons.

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The Department of State continues to coordinate with the Colombian president Abelardo de la Espriella and the Colombian Government to evaluate and respond to the needs arising from the earthquake.