Assessment Report | Colombia Earthquake

Assessment findings on the state of health services and urgent humanitarian needs in Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Chocó, Caldas, and Quindío following the August 2026 earthquake.

On August 10, 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. The earthquake affected Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, and Quindío, causing extensive damage to homes and critical services. There were 289 reported deaths, over 4,100 injuries, and more than 185,000 people impacted. A rapid needs assessment by Project HOPE surveyed 17 health facilities and found that most had structural damage and were operating under severe restrictions. Many hospitals could not provide emergency care due to damaged facilities, difficulties in accessing staff, and shortages of medicines and supplies. Water, sanitation, and hygiene systems were also disrupted, affecting water, electricity, telecommunications, and cold-chain systems. This situation raised public health risks in both health facilities and areas where displaced people gathered. Communities faced significant displacement and increased shelter needs. They also reported disruptions in chronic and maternal health services, along with prominent levels of psychological distress due to ongoing aftershocks and loss of homes and livelihoods. There is an urgent need to restore primary healthcare services, send mobile medical and mental health teams, provide essential medicines and supplies, repair water and sanitation systems, and strengthen mental health support for affected communities and healthcare workers.