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Colombia Earthquake 2026: Direct Relief Funds Emergency Flights Carrying Medical Aid, Blood Units

Emergency funding will support Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana flights carrying blood units, medical teams, and urgently needed supplies into hard-to-reach communities in Chocó near the earthquake’s epicenter.

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Colombia Earthquake 2026

On August 11, 2026, members of Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana prepare to transport humanitarian aid and medical crews to areas of Colombia cut off to road transportation.
On August 11, 2026, members of Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana prepare to transport humanitarian aid and medical crews to areas of Colombia cut off to road transportation. (PAC photo)

Following the strongest quake to impact Colombia in a decade, Direct Relief is supporting immediate health needs, including air transport of medical personnel, supplies, and blood units bound for hard-to-access areas near the quake’s epicenter.

Direct Relief is deploying emergency operating funds to Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana, or PAC, which will procure and deliver urgently needed medical supplies and provide humanitarian air transport into Condoto and other affected municipalities in Chocó, the region surrounding the earthquake’s epicenter. The area was severely impacted by the quake, and much of Chocó is reachable only by boat or plane, necessitating air transport.

On August 11, 2026, members of Patrulla Aérea Civil Colombiana prepare to transport humanitarian aid and medical crews to areas of Colombia cut off to road transportation. (PAC photo)

Aircraft involved in PAC medical missions departed on Tuesday morning for deployment to communities impacted by this week’s earthquake, which has killed at least 224 people, with hundreds more injured and the toll still climbing as rescue operations continue. A state of national disaster was declared on Monday, and dozens of aftershocks have continued in the hours since the initial quake.

In addition to immediate emergency financial support, Direct Relief is working to assess the medical needs of local partner organizations in Colombia. Emergency medicines and supplies commonly needed after earthquakes are available, including wound care and surgical supplies, antibiotics, and Field Medical Packs for first responders and search-and-rescue teams.

Sustaining Regional Disaster Relief Across South America

Direct Relief has a long history of medical support in Colombia. Over the past five years, Direct Relief has provided more than $7 million in medical aid and financial support in Colombia, including $1.2 million in grants. Since 2015, Direct Relief has sent more than $27 million in medical aid to health organizations in the country, and responded to multiple disasters, including 2017 flooding and mudslides in Mocoa and 2023 Nevado del Ruiz volcanic activity.

The organization continues responding regionally, including to Venezuela, which experienced devastating twin earthquakes in late June, killing more than 6,300 people and injuring tens of thousands.

Updates on Direct Relief’s Colombia earthquake response will be published as additional assistance is confirmed.

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