As the search for survivors in the rubble of a devastating earthquake winds down, Colombia faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a nation shattered by a disaster that has claimed at least 285 lives and affected more than 100,000 people. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake, which struck the South American country on Monday, stands as the most powerful to hit the region this century. Government data indicates that nearly 4,000 people were injured, and while official reports list hundreds as missing, private groups estimate the number of missing individuals could be in the thousands.
The scale of the destruction is immense, with tens of thousands of houses damaged or destroyed across more than 400 cities. Authorities have also reported widespread damage to thousands of schools, medical facilities, and community centers. For many, the situation is desperate. Ebert Jonathan Morales, a 38-year-old father of four, is currently staying in a shelter in Cali, one of the hardest-hit cities alongside Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo. "There is no place to live, we lost everything," Morales told The Associated Press. He is among the 102,263 people whose lives have been upended, and he noted that many neighborhoods in the city were destroyed, with numerous houses and buildings collapsing. He and his family are waiting for government support to begin rebuilding their lives from scratch.
The disaster has placed immediate pressure on President Abelardo de la Espriella, who was inaugurated just days before the earthquake struck. Acknowledging that the situation is complex, the President announced a plan on Thursday night to partner with private companies to facilitate the rebuilding process. He also pledged subsidies for families who have been left homeless. "We will not overcome this tragedy alone as a government," de la Espriella stated. "We need the private sector to rebuild Colombia together." The government intends to utilize both national and international funds to focus on the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, homes, roads, and airports.
However, experts warn that the recovery process must be methodical. Yezid Alvarado Vargas, a professor in construction engineering at Javeriana University in Bogota, emphasized the need for a "serious technical assessment" to determine which structures can be repaired and which must be demolished. He added that before reconstruction can truly begin, the government must guarantee temporary housing, food, healthcare, and economic support for those who lost their livelihoods.
In the absence of immediate government aid in some areas, many survivors are relying on neighbors and volunteers. Olga Castro, a mother of five, shared that she is currently staying with a neighbor. "At least we survived, but right now we are practically on the street because we don’t have a home anymore," she said. Local authorities have opened schools, parks, and public buildings as shelters, providing tents, mattresses, and food. In other areas, residents have improvised shelters in the streets.
The crisis is particularly acute in isolated regions. María Mercedes Liévano, director of Save the Children in Colombia, highlighted that areas like Buenaventura and Chocó—the earthquake's epicenter—were already plagued by violence and a lack of institutional support. "It’s a crisis on top of a crisis, leaving the population in a situation of extreme vulnerability," Liévano said. President de la Espriella is scheduled to visit cities including Quibdo and Pereira on Friday to oversee relief efforts. Meanwhile, the country is awaiting humanitarian supplies from international partners, including Peru, China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
