World Food Programme ramps up food aid for Colombia’s August earthquake survivors

Within a week of the 10 August earthquake, WFP moved food stocks through its hubs in Cali, Quibdó and Medellín to deliver assistance to more than 2,000 people in the cities of Pereira and Quibdó on 16 August. Mobile storage units stand ready for quick deployment, and additional relief items are stocked at the agency’s Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama. The logistics network enables the programme to reach both urban centres and remote communities where market access remains disrupted, ensuring that families receive essential nutrition while broader recovery efforts continue.

WFP has launched an appeal for an initial US$23 million to fund emergency food assistance for roughly 100,000 people over the next three months. In areas where markets are beginning to function, such as Valle del Cauca and Risaralda, the agency plans to shift toward cash‑based transfers, allowing households to purchase food locally and support the regional economy. In more isolated locations where markets are still closed, in‑kind food distributions will remain the primary response. The requested resources are intended to bridge the gap between immediate relief and longer‑term recovery.

Even before the quake, close to seven million Colombians lived with moderate or severe food insecurity, a vulnerability amplified in conflict‑affected departments. In Chocó and Valle del Cauca, about one‑third of the population already faced food shortages, and many households have now lost homes, livelihoods and basic services. The convergence of seismic damage with existing hunger and displacement underscores the need for sustained humanitarian support. WFP’s coordination with government authorities and other partners aims to address both the acute shock of the earthquake and the chronic food challenges that pre‑date it.