Colombia receives international aid after devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake
The Government of Colombia has confirmed the receipt of significant international financial support aimed at mitigating the effects of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the central and western part of the country this Monday. The aid’s primary objective is to expedite rescue efforts and damage assessment in the most affected regions.
Vice President José Manuel Restrepo detailed that the World Bank has allocated a donation of 200,000 dollars in non-reimbursable cooperation, specifically focused on infrastructure assessments. For its part, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has contributed 500,000 dollars under the same modality of technical cooperation.
The IDB has provided immediate access for the Red Cross of 350,000 dollars and 150,000 destined for technical support, vital resources to face the critical hours after the earthquake that impacted the departments of Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Chocó, and Caldas.
José Manuel Restrepo, Vice President of Colombia
A joint effort for the emergency
These funds are in addition to the $500,000 humanitarian donation previously announced by CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean). According to the authorities, the Colombian government maintains open rapid-disbursement credit lines with these financial institutions to ensure that resources reach the areas where the impact of the natural phenomenon has been greatest efficiently.
Preliminary balance of the tragedy
The Colombian Geological Service reported that the seismic movement occurred at 07:34 local time, with its epicenter in the municipality of San José del Palmar, Chocó, at a depth of 103 kilometers. The magnitude of the event has left a devastating scene in western Colombia:
- Fatalities: 132 people.
- Confirmed injured: 570 citizens.
- Affected infrastructure: More than 1,500 homes with structural damage.
Search and rescue efforts continue in the impacted areas, while the Government coordinates the distribution of international humanitarian aid to assist families affected by this natural disaster.
