Funding gap from Colombia earthquake puts 57,000 people at risk two months on from disaster

Cali, Colombia, August 10, 2026. Rescue operation in Cali, Colombia, following the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on August 10, 2026; volunteers rescuing people. — Volunteers rescuing people in the wake of the Colombian earthquake back in August. Image: Harold Diaz Lara/Shutterstock

Only $6.5million of funding has been secured out of $30million, creating a funding gap for thousands of Colombians impacted by quake

Two months ago, a magnitude–7.4 earthquake hit western Colombia, killing at least 176 and injuring thousands. More than 45,000 homes were damaged and 9,215 destroyed, and 140 buildings collapsed entirely in the disaster. At least 50 hospitals also experienced severe damage.

Now, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has warned that at least 57,000 people in western Colombia could be left without critical assistance, such as housing, water, healthcare and protection, as an emergency appeal for the quake remains less than a quarter funded.

‘The challenge now is to support families as they progressively move out of temporary shelters and rebuild their lives and communities through safe housing and sustainable livelihoods,’ said IOM’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean Juan Francisco Espinosa.

In August, IOM launched a flash appeal to raise $30million. However, only $6.5 million has been secured, enough for 43,000 people, far below the target of up to 100,000.

An IOM staff member hands over essential relief items to a woman affected by the earthquake in Quindío during a humanitarian assistance distribution. Image: IOM/Carolina Castelblanco

Today, more than 2,700 people remain in temporary shelters, and many more earthquake-impacted households need support to repair their homes and livelihoods.

El Niño forecasts from Colombia’s national meteorological authority, IDEAM, will only worsen pressure on communities trying to recover from the earthquake. El Niño conditions could cause wildfires, water shortages and disruption to essential services.

Earthquake-affected communities also face public health risks. Dengue cases rose by more than 30 per cent in September in Chocó, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca, according to Colombia’s National Institute of Health.

‘Working with the Colombian Government and our partners, we can help families secure safe housing and rebuild livelihoods, but we need urgent funding while it can still make a difference,’ said Espinosa.

To support affected communities, IOM has assisted more than 10,000 people across 51 municipalities, providing hygiene kits and water treatment units, deploying medical teams and supporting more than 450 rescuers and responders with mental health care.

A range of UN agencies have assisted in the aftermath of the disaster. The World Food Programme (WFP) delivered emergency food assistance, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) deployed mobile teams in Chocó to support survivors of gender-based violence, with the UN’s Children Fund (UNICEF) provided water, sanitation and hygiene support to affected families.

The August 2026 earthquake struck at a depth of 103 kilometres (64 miles) in the Chocó province. Many deaths occurred in Cali, Colombia’s third most populous city. Tremors occurred in Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama, with an estimated 1.5 million people able to feel shaking close to magnitude seven as the quake struck.

More than 50 days after the earthquake, 778,282 people remained affected. Even before the disaster, Colombia was under severe strain as around 9.1 million people required humanitarian assistance due a range of factors from ongoing conflict to poverty.