Bogotá / Geneva / Panama City, 10 September 2026 – A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on 10 August, killing hundreds of people and, as of 4 September, leaving more than 661,000 people formally registered as disaster-affected. One month on, addressing the health, mental health and shelter needs of the hardest-hit communities remains a priority for the coming months, said the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). While emergency search-and-rescue operations have concluded in most areas, in the short term, people affected by the earthquake require health care to prevent complications from chronic illnesses or interruptions to vaccination schedules; psychosocial support to help people cope with grief and the effects of trauma; and access to essential items that support hygiene, rest, and the preparation and consumption of food – particularly for those who are still unable to return to their homes. "An emergency of this scale does not end when the first rescue operations are complete," said Dr. Judith Carvajal de Álvarez, President of the Colombian Red Cross. "Communities continue to face needs and challenges as they work to rebuild their lives. That is why our response keeps evolving to accompany people through the different stages of the emergency and recovery, strengthening our local capacities and working alongside communities." Over the past month, 1,844 Colombian Red Cross volunteers and staff have delivered more than 3,600 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and provided more than 5,300 health support interventions, including medical care, psychological support, public health and psychosocial support activities. They have also distributed more than 15,700 liters of water, and accompanied more than 4,400 people through Restoring Family Links services to reconnect with loved ones. These services will continue in the coming months, but over the medium and long term, affected communities will also ne
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