US, El Salvador, Ecuador, Israel to Send Rescue Teams to Colombia After Earthquake

Colombia is accepting international assistance to bolster search and rescue efforts in the wake of a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country. Teams from the United States, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Israel are set to join the ongoing relief operations.

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The evolution of the situation allows us to conclude that there will be a need to make reliefs in the search and rescue teams, anticipating the exhaustion of national human resources.

David Tamayo, the newly appointed director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), announced the decision on social media. He explained that these international groups will provide much-needed relief to Colombian teams who have been working tirelessly since the earthquake hit on Monday. Tamayo anticipates that the "evolution" of the situation indicates a need for "reliefs" due to the potential "exhaustion" of national human resources.

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The foreign teams that will participate in the rescue efforts meet international standards and are certified by their respective countries and by specialized entities.

Tamayo assured that the necessary arrangements for these foreign teams are being processed, though he did not provide specific details regarding their arrival dates or the exact number of personnel involved. He emphasized that all incoming international rescue teams meet "international standards" and are certified by their respective countries and specialized bodies. This ensures a high level of expertise and capability in their operations.

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The government of President Abelardo de la Espriella is accepting the international humanitarian aid that is being offered without any political or ideological consideration.

Notably, Tamayo did not mention the Mexican rescue brigades that arrived earlier on Wednesday in Cali, a city heavily impacted by the quake and reporting nearly a hundred fatalities. Colombian Foreign Minister Omar Bula confirmed on social media that the government is accepting international humanitarian aid "without any political or ideological consideration." He highlighted ongoing communication with UN agencies and expressed gratitude for recent aid from El Salvador and Mexico. The minister stressed that Colombia is in a "critical moment" and the government is working diligently to coordinate the numerous offers of international assistance.

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Colombia is in a critical moment.