Oxfam launches appeal to support communities hit by Colombia earthquake

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Short URL: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/mc/bcym92/

The impact of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake has been felt across Colombia with a significant number of people affected. Over 2,000 people have already been reported injured and over 200 people killed with thousands of buildings including homes, healthcare and educational facilities damaged or destroyed.

Andrés Bolaño/Oxfam

Members of the community and emergency response teams helping to clear debris and rubble from a collapsed building. People are carrying buckets and climbing over the structure to assist in the clear up.
Colombia Earthquake Appeal

Oxfam, has launched an appeal to support communities affected by an earthquake that struck in the Chocó region of western Colombia early on Monday 10 August, just a few weeks after a double earthquake hit neighbouring Venezuela. The 7.4 magnitude tremor was strongly felt across much of Colombia and in some areas of nearby Ecuador and Panama. The Colombian government has declared a state of disaster

El Murcy/Jeison Riascos/Oxfam

Rubble and debris from a collapsed building on the corner of a street in the Chocó region after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the region.

Impact felt across Colombia with thousands of people affected

  • Over 200 fatalities confirmed
  • Thousands of people injured
  • Extensive damage to homes and businesses
  • Healthcare and educational facilities affected
  • Water supply systems affected
  • Mobile phone stations out of service due to power cuts and damage caused by the earthquake.

El Murcy/Jeison Riascos/Oxfam

Aerial view of an earthquake-affected area showing collapsed buildings, debris, and emergency teams conducting search and response operations. The image highlights the scale of the damage across the territory.

Oxfam is responding in Colombia

Our partners, who work closely with affected communities, have already started distributing food and providing other emergency support. We’ll be working with them to understand people’s needs and deliver the support that’s needed most. This is particularly important in Chocó, the region closest to the earthquake's epicentre, where access is challenging and public services are more limited.

Andrés Bolaño/Oxfam

Emergency response teams and heavy machinery conduct search and debris removal operations among the rubble of buildings damaged by the earthquake. The image shows part of the response efforts in an urban area of the municipality.

What you can do to support the people of Colombia

Oxfam has launched an appeal to support communities hit by the earthquake that hit the Chocó region in the morning of Monday 10th August. Public support will help Oxfam and our colleagues in Colombia deliver clean water, food and critical supplies to the people of the area.

Andrés Bolaño/Oxfam

Record of the damage caused by the earthquake, showing collapsed buildings and debris removal operations using heavy machinery. The image demonstrates the scale of the destruction in an urban area of the municipality.

Press contact

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People walk through a street filled with rubble and destroyed buildings; one person pushes a bicycle loaded with yellow water containers and supplies. The scene depicts devastation and displacement.
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 Members of the community and emergency response teams helping to clear debris and rubble from a collapsed building. People are carrying buckets and climbing over the structure to assist in the clear up.
Colombia Earthquake Appeal

On 10th August 2026, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Chocó region in Colombia causing buildings to collapse, the loss of life and thousands injured.

Donate now