Colombia Earthquake: Direct Relief Mobilizing Medical Aid for Immediate Health Needs

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake reverberated through Colombia today, the largest earthquake to impact the country in a decade, according to the Associated Press.

The earthquake shook the country at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, and the epicenter was recorded about three miles outside of San José del Palmar, a town in western Colombia with a population of about 5,000 people. Shaking was felt in major cities, including Bogota and Cali.

Aftershocks were recorded at 2.8- and 4.8-magnitude, and the series of quakes has forced thousands to evacuate their homes as buildings immediately toppled over, crushing people beneath the debris. At least 27 people have died, though that number may rise as damage assessments continue.

Thousands more are expected to be affected as dozens of buildings and structures are being reported to have severe damage. National news outlets have shared that people were running from debris and finding safe places to take shelter as buildings shook. The Colombian Geological Service reported that the quake had a depth of 107 kilometers (66 miles) and affected neighboring cities such as El Cairo and El Aguila.

The USGS reported that a significant portion of the areas surrounding the earthquake are at risk of landslides and flooding. The disaster follows a 5.5-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific just seven hours before, and affected three cities in Ecuador, Colombia’s neighbor. Stipo, Peru, also experienced a 4.6-magnitude earthquake nearly a day before.

Direct Relief Monitoring Health Needs in Colombia

Direct Relief is monitoring medical needs in the region and was in communication with local and regional organizations on Monday to assess immediate health requests. The organization maintains emergency medicines commonly requested during earthquake events, including wound care, surgical supplies, antibiotics, field medic packs to equip first responders and search and rescue crews, and more.

Direct Relief has an extensive history of medical support in South America and the Caribbean, and the organization has sent more than $27 million in medical aid to health organizations in Colombia since 2015.

Colombia’s earthquake comes less than two months after two devastating earthquakes rattled neighboring Venezuela, causing major destruction and resulting in mass casualties. Medical support from Direct Relief is ongoing for that response, and the organization is working to help meet immediate health needs and strengthen the country’s health system over the long term.

Earthquakes and Health Risks

Major earthquakes of 7.0-magnitude or higher cause severe impacts to regional health. Crush injuries and physical traumas are widespread during the event, aftershocks, and recovery period. Local health systems are often overwhelmed by the influx of injuries, and chronic conditions and other health issues can go unmanaged, quickly spiraling into health crises.

Displacement after an earthquake often causes exposure, waterborne illnesses, infectious diseases, and nutritional impacts, as people are crowded together in unsanitary conditions and separated from healthcare access and their regular food sources.

Earthquakes can cause a cascade of medical issues, including acute traumas and crush injuries from falling debris during the initial event, aftershocks, and during rescue and recovery efforts. Local health systems can be strained by an influx of trauma patients to emergency rooms, even as others can end up in medical crisis from unmanaged chronic conditions and other health needs neglected during the immediate crisis. Massive displacement can also cause health risks, including exposure, waterborne illnesses, and more.

Direct Relief will continue to respond to requests in the region as they become known.