PAHO/WHO sustains earthquake response in Colombia one month after disaster

One month after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) continues to work with national and local health authorities on emergency response, recovery, and stabilization, according to a press release. The Organization is helping to maintain essential health services and address emerging public health risks in affected communities. As of 4 September, 331 people had died, 4,519 had been injured, and 122 remained missing. A total of 466,606 people had been affected across 498 municipalities in 16 departments. Valle del Cauca and Risaralda account for 93.4% of the deaths confirmed by Colombia’s National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences.

The earthquake caused significant damage to health infrastructure across the country. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reports 400 health facilities affected in 14 of the 16 impacted departments. With PAHO/WHO support, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection has completed rapid assessments of 278 health facilities in 44 municipalities. These assessments aim to determine operational status, capacity, and needs. Significant health needs remain across the affected territories.

Since the first day of the emergency, PAHO/WHO has worked alongside the Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Health, and departmental and district health authorities. Efforts include health facility assessments, public health surveillance, and water, sanitation, and hygiene support in Chocó, Buenaventura, and Cali. The Organization is also supporting malaria and dengue prevention, immunization services, and mental health and psychosocial support. Health Cluster coordination is being reinforced to direct resources to the most affected areas. Of 112 shelters assessed, 79 remain active and accommodate 4,060 people, mainly in Risaralda, Buenaventura, and Chocó.

Ana Rivière Cinnamond, PAHO/WHO Representative in Colombia, emphasized the ongoing commitment of the Organization.

“As we reach one month since the earthquake, PAHO/WHO continues to work closely with Colombia’s national and local health authorities to ensure that the health needs of affected communities remain a priority,” she said.

She added that the current focus is on the continuity and recovery of essential services, disease surveillance, and mental health. Priority is being given to populations most affected and at greatest risk. The Organization continues coordination with health-sector partners on the ground.

As the emergency response begins to transition to recovery, restoring health services and strengthening community resilience remain essential. PAHO/WHO will continue working with authorities to assess damage, address infrastructure gaps, and support the rehabilitation of services and replacement of critical equipment. Monitoring of health risks will continue, including communicable diseases, vector-borne diseases, immunization, and mental health.

“The impacts of a disaster of this magnitude are multiple and long-lasting,” Rivière Cinnamond stated.

The Organization confirmed it will remain closely engaged with national and local authorities throughout the recovery.