On 10 August 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicentre near San José del Palmar (Chocó), affecting at least 494 municipalities across sixteen departments. According to Colombia’s National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD), it affected more than 324,100 people and 159,900 families, caused 329 deaths and 4,500 injuries, and left hundreds of people missing. Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Caldas and Risaralda are among the worst-affected departments. Urgent needs include emergency shelter, housing recovery, water and sanitation, food assistance, health and psychosocial support, livelihood recovery, protection services, gender-based violence prevention and child protection, legal assistance, and the rehabilitation of essential services and community infrastructure.
Save the Children UK Alumni Association
The Alumni Association of SC UK