Colombia Earthquake: What to Know Right Now
- A powerful 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, causing significant damage across the Pacific Region. The situation is evolving rapidly, and the full extent of the damage and casualties is still not clear.
- At least 45,350 homes have been damaged and nearly 11,789 destroyed, raising concerns that people may be trapped under rubble.
- Schools and public hospitals have been forced to evacuate with many sustaining severe damages. One hospital in Cali has completely collapsed.
- Landslides, damaged bridges and suspended operations at six airports are restricting access to affected communities. Communications and power have also been cut off in some areas, while essential services such as water and healthcare have been disrupted.
- We know from past experience that children will need urgent support to access shelter, food and water and replace lost belongings. Those suffering injuries will need urgent access to medical support.
7.4
Magnitude of the earthquake
1.9M
People who live in the area most affected
266
Number of deaths reported thus far
How Save the Children Is Responding to the Colombia Earthquake
$400,000 Already Allocated
Save the Children has allocated $400,000 from the Children's Emergency Fund to support the response, with funding disbursed within six hours of the earthquake.
Head Version 2 SVG for web use
Responding in Affected Communities
Save the Children has a field office in Valle del Cauca and is launching emergency activities in Buenaventura, establishing safe spaces where children can access educational activities, mental health and psychosocial support and protection services.
Delivering Urgent Support
Teams are conducting rapid needs assessments, with hygiene kits already prepositioned and additional supplies being sourced. We plan to provide food assistance, nutrition kits and other essential support based on children's needs.
How Your Support is Helping Children in Colombia
Your donation can help children and families affected by the Colombia earthquake while supporting Save the Children's ongoing work to help children survive, learn and stay safe. Your donation helps us:
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
Improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene while promoting hygiene practices.
Child Protection
Protect children from violence, neglect and exploitation through emergency support and programs that build resilience and life skills.
Education
Help children access quality, inclusive education by strengthening literacy, numeracy and social-emotional skills.
Food Security & Livelihoods
Provide families with opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship and employability to strengthen household resilience.
Health & Nutrition
Improve access to essential health and nutrition services for women and children, including primary and maternal care, mental health support and malnutrition prevention and treatment.
Rossy* holds her baby outside outside a mobile health unit at an informal settlement in La Guajira, Colombia
Save the Children has a proven track record of using donations efficiently and effectively to change children's lives. We are proud to have received an A- rating from CharityWatch and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest score possible from America’s leading independent charity evaluator.
This recognition reflects our long-standing commitment to ethical governance, transparent operations, and fiscally responsible use of donor support.
FAQs and How To Help Children in Colombia
What happened in Colombia?
A powerful 7.4 earthquake ripped through western Colombia, causing significant damage across the Pacific Region, with tremors felt as far as Venezuela. The earthquake struck Monday morning while many families were still home or on their way to school or work. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in a decade, and the Colombian government has declared a national emergency.
So far, 266 people have been reported killed, including children, 3,472 people have been injured, and at least 496 people have been reported missing. Approximately 1.9 million people live in the area considered most affected. The situation remains fluid, and the full extent of the destruction and casualties will take time to become clear.
How many people were affected by the Colombia earthquake?
So far, 266 people have been reported killed, including children, 3,472 people have been injured, and at least 496 people have been reported missing. Approximately 1.9 million people live in the area considered most affected by the earthquake.
At least 45,350 homes have been damaged and 11,789 destroyed, raising concerns that many individuals may be trapped under rubble. Schools and public hospitals have been forced to evacuate, with 1,813 educational facilities, 179 health facilities, and at least 527 community centers affected by the earthquake.
How have children been affected by the earthquake?
Children and families urgently need safe drinking water, food assistance, hygiene supplies, emergency shelter and healthcare. Hundreds of schools have been affected, disrupting learning and leaving children in need of safe spaces, education support and psychosocial care.
Families displaced from their homes urgently need shelter and essential items, while children may need mental health support to cope with the shock and trauma caused by the earthquake.
How is Save the Children responding to the Colombia earthquake?
Save the Children has already started emergency response activities. We have allocated $400,000 from the Children's Emergency Fund, with funding disbursed within six hours of the earthquake.
- Teams have begun establishing safe spaces where children can participate in recreational and educational activities, access mental health and psychosocial support, and receive protection services.
- We are also conducting rapid assessments, coordinating with teams and partners in affected and nearby areas, and working to source additional supplies.
- Hygiene kits are already prepositioned, and we plan to provide food assistance and nutrition kits as the response expands based on assessed needs and access conditions.
How can I help children affected by the Colombia earthquake?
Investing in our Children’s Emergency Fund (CEF) is one of the fastest and most effective ways
to support children affected by the earthquake in Colombia.
What is the Children's Emergency Fund?
Our Children’s Emergency Fund means we can act as soon as a crisis hits, and deliver lifesaving support wherever it is needed, when it matters most. It means we have funds ready for when a disaster strikes, so we don’t have to wait to reach children in crises.
Related News About the Colombia Earthquake
Updated: August 12, 2026