The earthquake that shook Colombia last Monday leaves already 265 dead, 3,494 injured, and 496 missing, according to the latest consolidated report from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) presented by President Abelardo De la Espriella. The quake has affected 25,872 families and a total of 53,816 people in the departments of Valle del Cauca, Quindío, Risaralda, Caldas, and Chocó.
The number of missing has increased to 496 people and now constitutes one of the main priorities of the emergency teams. The president has assured that the search efforts are being carried out with all available capacities and with the support of international aid that is beginning to arrive in the country.
More than 11,000 homes destroyed by the earthquake
The report presented by the Colombian government estimates 11,347 homes destroyed by the earthquake and another 53,526 that have suffered damage. These figures are added to 140 collapsed buildings and 1,819 damaged educational centers.
The damages also affect other essential infrastructures. The government counts 631 affected community centers, 179 health centers with structural failures, one fallen pedestrian bridge, and 20 affected vehicular bridges.
The road network has also suffered significant damage, with 203 affected roads, while 44 aqueducts and five airports present some type of impact.
More than 1,500 tons of humanitarian aid
The First Lady, Ana Lucía Pineda, has also presented the report of the campaign "Colombia One Heart," which coordinates aid from the private sector, social organizations, and citizens.
According to her report, around 1,500 tons of food and humanitarian aid have been managed, which have already been transported to the affected areas through flights from Avianca, LATAM, and other private operations. More than 120,000 liters of water have also been distributed among bottles and water tankers.
The aid also includes power plants, Starlink equipment, electric generators, and refrigerated containers of more than 40 feet intended specifically to support the work of Legal Medicine in Risaralda.
Support for hospitals, shelters, and rescue teams
The campaign has also channeled donations of medications that have already been distributed among various hospitals and the Colombian Red Cross. In the shelters set up by the municipalities, blankets, mattresses, and tents have been delivered to assist the affected families.
The Government has managed medical and psychosocial support, as well as free funeral assistance for families who have lost their loved ones.
Regarding the rescue teams, more than 150 tons of emergency kits have been distributed. The campaign has also received food donations for the rescuers, who continue to work in the affected areas.
The aid is being distributed among the municipalities of the five regions affected by the earthquake in Colombia, while the search continues for the 496 people listed as missing in the latest official report.