Crisis in Quibdó: Ombudsman’s Office demands urgent census after earthquake in Colombia
The Ombudsman of Colombia, Iris Marín, has made an urgent call from Quibdó to implement a detailed census that allows for quantifying the real impact of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the country. After touring the most affected areas in the Chocó department, Marín pointed out that the lack of precise data is hindering effective assistance to thousands of families who lost their homes.
Although search and rescue efforts have concluded in the Chocoan capital, the official emphasized that the emergency has entered a critical phase where the priority must be to identify the basic needs of those affected.
It is urgent to conduct the censuses because there is no real estimate of how many people are affected, how many people currently have nowhere to sleep.
Iris Marín, Ombudsman
National balance and disparity in the figures
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an economic emergency to channel resources in light of the magnitude of the catastrophe. Nationwide, the official report puts the death toll at 265, with 3,494 injured and 496 people reported missing. However, the Ombudsman’s Office has warned of a marked disparity between the centralized figures and the reality observed in the regions, a gap that can only be closed through a rigorous census registry.
- 9 confirmed deaths in Quibdó.
- 13 fatalities counted throughout the Chocó department.
- Epicenter located in the vicinity of the municipality of San José del Palmar.
Healthcare collapse and precariousness in shelters
The health situation is one of the points of greatest concern for the authorities. The San Francisco de Asís Hospital, the reference healthcare center in Quibdó, is currently operating with an overcapacity of 160%. The Ombudsman’s Office has urged that electrical stability and internet connectivity be guaranteed at the medical center to avoid interruptions in patient care.
On the other hand, the official described the conditions of the coliseum used as a temporary shelter as precarious, stressing the need to improve the facilities to house the citizens. Likewise, it has been requested:
- Resumption of academic activities at the Technological University of Chocó.
- Implementation of psychosocial support programs for children and adolescents.
- Immediate verification of the situation in 32 indigenous settlements and remote rural communities, where access to information remains limited.
