Colombia Earthquake
Latest Situation and How You Can Help
On 10 August 2026, a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, affecting communities across 16 departments.
Information about the scale of the impact is still emerging while humanitarian organisations and Colombian authorities are assessing the impact and identifying the most urgent needs.
As rescue teams race against time to save lives, ActionAid is already on the ground, providing urgent assistance to people injured alongside our hospital ship partners.
Additionally, we are assessing how we can support communities affected by the earthquake, especially women and girls, who often face heightened protection risks during crises.
Families have lost their homes and essential belongings, access to clean water and sanitation services, interrupted access to healthcare and increased protection risks.
What is happening in Colombia?
Communities across Colombia's Pacific region are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis after the earthquake caused widespread destruction, damaged essential infrastructure, and left some of the country's most isolated populations cut off from assistance.
Buildings remain at risk of collapse, with reports of people still trapped beneath the rubble. Hospitals, schools and homes have suffered significant damage, while landslides and damaged roads are making it difficult for emergency teams to reach affected areas.
The full extent of the disaster is still emerging, particularly in Chocó, where communications and access remain extremely limited. Authorities expect the number of affected people to rise as more information becomes available throughout the day.
Indigenous communities are also believed to be affected. Many can only be reached by river, making the delivery of humanitarian aid particularly challenging.
Despite blocked roads and connectivity issues, we are working to reach affected communities, gather information from areas we cannot yet access, and identify the most urgent needs so we can determine how best to support them.
What are the humanitarian needs hand how you can help?
The earthquake has created both immediate and longer-term humanitarian needs.
Donations can help provide vital humanitarian assistance, protection and support to people affected by this emergency.
You donations will help ActionAid and local partners respond according to the needs identified by affected communities.
Your donation will help provide vital support, including:
Emergency shelter, food and essential supplies
People whose homes have been damaged or destroyed need somewhere safe to stay, as well as meals and essential household items.
Clean water and sanitation
Hygiene items, clean water and sanitation are urgently needed to prevent disease and protect families as damaged infrastructure and disrupted services make it harder to meet basic needs.
Healthcare
People injured in the earthquake need immediate medical care, while many others need continued access to essential healthcare as health facWhen homes, essential services and community protection systems are disrupted, women and girls face greater risks of violence and exploitation. Protecting women and girls must therefore be at the heart of the emergency response from the start.
Psychosocial support
Earthquakes leave people facing injury, loss, displacement and trauma. Psychosocial support is essential to help people cope and recover.
Why the earthquake could have a particularly serious impact
The earthquake has struck a country that was already experiencing significant humanitarian challenges.
People who were already facing poverty, displacement, violence or limited access to services have even fewer resources to cope with.
Up to 3.7 million children in Colombia need humanitarian assistance, according to UNICEF, following the impacts of armed conflict, displacement, migration and disasters. UNICEF has also highlighted the continuing disruption to essential services and education. (UNICEF)
ActionAid is already working in Colombia
Since 1998, ActionAid has been working alongside communities across Colombia, including in areas affected by the earthquake, such as Buenaventura and Cauca.
Our work includes supporting people affected by displacement and humanitarian emergencies, improving access to water, sanitation and shelter, protecting women and children from violence, and strengthening community resilience.
This means we are not starting from zero.
We have the connections, local presence, knowledge and humanitarian experience to reach communities affected by the earthquake and respond where support is needed most.
Funds will be used where they are needed most within ActionAid's humanitarian response, according to assessed needs and operational capacity.
The Colombia earthquake: what happens next?
- The first stage of the response is about reaching affected communities, understanding the damage and identifying the most urgent needs.
- As more information emerges, these assessments will help shape the response and ensure support reaches the people and places that need it most.
This page will be updated as verified information becomes available.