On 10 August 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. As of 19 August, the national balance stands at 319 deaths, 260 missing, and 4,506 injured, with 153,336 families and an estimated 974,765 people affected across 476 municipalities in 15 departments. Damage includes 163,492 damaged and 31,461 destroyed homes, 302 collapsed buildings, and significant impact on health facilities, schools, community infrastructure, and roads nationwide. The Government of Colombia has declared a National Disaster Emergency in response to the scale of the impact.
Chocó is among the country’s most vulnerable departments, with high levels of poverty, prolonged exposure to armed conflict and displacement, recurrent natural disasters, and limited state presence and response capacity, particularly in rural areas. The earthquake is therefore compounding significant pre-existing humanitarian needs.
ACT Colombia Forum members LWF and HEKS/EPER along with their partners are working hard to provide lifesaving emergency support. Members will respond with an appeal of 2,500,000 USD to support those most in need.
COL261 Appeal Narrative COL261 Results-Framework
