One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, rescue teams are winding down some operations as authorities and aid organisations turn toward shelter, basic necessities and rebuilding. The quake killed at least 289 people, injured 4,187 and affected 15 of Colombia’s 32 provinces.
Government figures said 143 people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday night, while an unofficial online database listed more than 3,000 missing. Officials are still assessing the full scale of the destruction, including damage to homes, schools, hospitals, roads and businesses.
Rescue work gives way to a medium-term emergency
Emergency teams have rescued 354 people during the past week, but responders say the chances of finding survivors beneath rubble have fallen sharply. Bogota Fire Department Sergeant Joel Bustamente said some search-and-rescue operations were no longer necessary and that teams were moving toward reconstruction, demolition and related work.
At Cali’s seven-storey Vanessa Building, search-and-rescue operations were suspended on Friday and teams shifted to recovering bodies, according to Enrique Zapata, logistics head at the health NGO SARES. Other rescuers continue to hold out hope, with volunteer Maximiliano Herrera saying teams had described a possible survival window of up to 15 days.
Related coverage: Colombia seeks temporary US tariff relief as quake recovery begins.
Shelter is the next urgent priority
The earthquake damaged 127,557 homes and destroyed 26,945, leaving more than 120,000 families affected. Authorities in Cali and Pereira have converted sports stadiums and community centres into temporary shelters, while aid points are collecting food, water, hygiene supplies and clothing.
Demand for shelter has been limited in some wealthier urban areas because displaced residents can stay with relatives or friends. But the needs are more acute in Choco, the country’s poorest department and the earthquake’s epicentre. In Quibdo, 2,723 homes were damaged and 1,337 were deemed uninhabitable; residents said national authorities had not provided temporary or permanent shelters.
Damage extends beyond homes
The disaster affected 285 health centres and 2,838 educational facilities. It also damaged 407 roads, 92 water-supply systems, 44 vehicle bridges and five airports, adding to the challenge of reaching communities in areas such as Choco that are accessible largely by river.
More context: Colombia begins national mourning as earthquake rescue enters third day.
Businesses are also struggling to recover. Buenaventura bicycle-shop owner Nestor Martinez estimated his losses at about 350 million Colombian pesos, or $111,000, and said he had no business insurance. The European Union pledged 2 million euros, the United States pledged $15.5m, and the government estimated total reconstruction damage at at least $6.4bn.
President Abelardo de la Espriella declared an economic emergency and pledged a reconstruction fund. Rather than raise new taxes, his government chose to increase borrowing, including through a $450m World Bank credit line. The response has drawn criticism over the transition from the previous government and the handling of international rescue assistance.
Also read: How Cali’s hospitals are treating patients after the earthquake.
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