Damage in Pereira, Colombia, following the August 10, 2026 earthquake. Photo: World Central Kitchen/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, GER³ has deployed an emergency response team to assess needs and coordinate potential early recovery and reconstruction support.
The earthquake affected communities across Colombia’s Pacific coast, Valle del Cauca and Pereira. Initial reports indicate that approximately 487,000 people were affected and 36,000 homes were destroyed.
GER³ is currently conducting rapid needs assessments and coordinating with government authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners to better understand the scale of damage, identify priority needs and determine where our technical expertise can add the greatest value.
Early assessments have highlighted significant needs related to debris management, damaged homes and critical infrastructure, including schools and clinics. They have also identified potential opportunities for cash-for-work and community-based recovery approaches that could support both reconstruction and household livelihoods.
These challenges may be compounded by ongoing armed conflict, including confrontations between armed groups and the increasing use of armed drones, as well as the effects of El Niño, including drought, crop losses and increased wildfire risk.
GER³ will use the findings from its assessments and coordination efforts to inform the next phase of the response and identify where early recovery and reconstruction assistance is most urgently needed.
Your support can help GER³ expand its emergency response and reach more families and communities affected by the earthquake.
