UN offers support to Colombia after magnitude 7.4 earthquake kills dozens
UN teams in Colombia are liaising with national authorities and the country’s disaster risk management agency to closely monitor the situation and support the national response.Speaking in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the organization was following developments and stood ready to provide assistance.“Our thoughts go out to all who have suffered as a result of this earthquake, and we stand ready to help as needed,” Mr. Haq said.The earthquake struck at around 7:34am local time, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar, in Chocó department, close to Valle del Cauca.The UN has teams assessing the situation in the affected areas and is preparing, together with the Government, an initial emergency response meeting to determine needs and what assistance could be mobilized, according to the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, María José Torres Macho.Listen to her interview with UN News's Laura Quiñones below:
The tremor was felt across large parts of Colombia and in neighbouring countries, including Panama, Ecuador and Venezuela.Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations as the death toll rises. Initial reports indicate that homes and other structures have collapsed in several towns, with people still trapped beneath the debris.According to the official tally available at 2:45pm local time, 1,575 homes had been damaged and 37 destroyed, while 61 buildings had collapsed. Damage was also reported at 18 health centres and 52 educational facilities.Mr. Haq also noted that limited connectivity in some rural areas is making it difficult to assess the full impact, meaning the scale of the damage is not yet clear.The tragedy struck just three days after the inauguration of Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who said the immediate priority is to rescue the people who remain trapped under the rubble.
