Humanitarian aid
Cali’s Neighbours Turn Rubble into Relief as UN Mobilises Emergency Support
In the wake of the 7.4‑magnitude quake that devastated Cali, volunteers flooded streets with water, food and tools while the UN released $5 million to fund health, shelter and water services for tens of thousands of affected residents.
Community Mobilisation Amid Rubble
Within hours of the August 10, magnitude‑7.4 quake, residents of Cali flooded the streets with water, food, flashlights, gloves and shovels, often while temperatures hovered near 35 °C. Neighbours formed ad‑hoc teams to clear debris, carry supplies and search for survivors; volunteers such as Víctor Manuel Rodríguez grabbed his dog and later joined rescue crews at the collapsed housing complex in the Capri neighbourhood. Young people, elders and local shop owners alike stocked collection points, and a venue originally prepared for the Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival was swiftly turned into a central distribution hub, turning cultural space into a lifeline for those trapped or displaced.
UN Coordination and Immediate Relief
The United Nations activated humanitarian coordination mechanisms covering health, shelter, water, sanitation, food security, protection and education, and placed Colombian authorities at the centre of the response. UN teams on the ground work alongside national officials, while the Pan American Health Organization has dispatched specialised medical personnel and supplies to overwhelmed hospitals. OCHA’s coordination hub has identified urgent needs for hospital and psychosocial care, safe drinking water and child protection, and is channeling resources accordingly. A $5 million allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund supports the immediate response.
Ongoing Needs and Reconstruction Outlook
Official figures compiled by OCHA recorded at least 132 deaths, 238 people missing and more than 2,500 injured by August 12, with around 36,000 individuals affected across Valle del Cauca. Thousands of families now require shelter, medical treatment, safe water, food and psychological support, and children are especially vulnerable while waiting for news of their parents. UN Resident Coordinator María José Torres Macho stressed that reconstruction must go beyond simply replacing what was lost, urging a “building back better” approach that embeds resilience into new housing, health facilities and community infrastructure. The UN system continues supporting the Colombian-led response, with officials emphasising the importance of rebuilding in ways that better protect communities.