The United States is committed to helping the people of Colombia following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck regions of that country on August 10. The earthquake’s epicenter was near San José del Palmar in Chocó, with shaking felt as far as Bogotá and parts of Venezuela and Ecuador. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the quake struck at a depth of about 96 km, making it one of the strongest in recent decades.
Within hours of the earthquake, the Department of State announced $15.5 million in life-saving emergency shelter, food, and protection assistance, in addition to post-earthquake structural assessments. The State Department also activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which includes humanitarian experts from across the State Department. Members of the DART began arriving in Colombia the day of this devastating earthquake, underscoring the Department’s commitment to immediate, life-saving action in the critical hours following natural disasters in our hemisphere. The State Department continues to liaise with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and the Colombian government as it assesses the impacts of and responds to this earthquake.
The Department of State is deploying a DART to provide world-class disaster response expertise, technical and programmatic support, operational leadership, and on-the-ground coordination. The DART is responsible for assessing conditions, identifying humanitarian needs, and leading the U.S. Government’s disaster response. The DART is working closely with existing Department assistance personnel, as well as diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota to coordinate with local authorities and partner organizations.
The initial $15.5 million will be mobilized through trusted partners, including Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the International Organization for Migration, Miyamoto International, the UN World Food Program, and World Vision. Of the total funding, $3 million provided through CRS draws from the previously announced CRS global assistance award. With funding already on hand through its global award, CRS can respond immediately.
Additionally, as part of the State Department’s $3 billion contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United States provided $200 million to the Colombia Pooled Fund, which OCHA can use to address earthquake-related needs as well as preexisting humanitarian needs in Colombia.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the administration of President Donald Trump is closely monitoring the disaster and “stands ready to support the people of Colombia and President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration.”