Doctors of the World mobilises after strongest earthquake in Colombia in a decade 

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia at 7:34 a.m. local time (1:34 p.m. UK time) yesterday, Monday 10 August. According to Colombia’s Geological Service, it is the strongest earthquake to hit the country in a decade. The tremor was felt across more than 30 cities, including Bogotá, as well as in neighbouring Ecuador and Panama. 

Local authorities report at least 132 people have died and almost 1,500 have been injured so far; these figures are expected to change as assessments continue and communication is restored with cut-off municipalities. Colombia’s government has declared a national emergency. 

Doctors of the World has an operational presence in Chocó, Cauca, Nariño and Antioquia, alongside an Emergency Rapid Response Team that can deploy anywhere in the country. All our staff in Colombia are safe. Our team in Quibdó, close to the epicentre, is already on the ground, reporting a sinkhole, people trapped inside buildings, and patients being transferred to neighbouring Antioquia as hospital capacity is stretched to its limit. 

“Our priority today is to assess the needs of the people affected by the earthquake and to provide a medical response as quickly as possible,” says Elise Lesieur, Director of International Operations at Doctors of the World. “Our team close to the epicentre in Quibdó is already mobilised and is reporting serious damage. It’s still too early to have full figures, but we expect a substantial number of injured.” 

The most urgent needs will include emergency medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, sexual and reproductive healthcare, clean water and sanitation, and shelter for families who have lost their homes. A mobile clinic based in Quibdó is set to deploy as close as possible to the epicentre within days, backed by a second team already on standby in Bogotá. 

Doctors of the World has stood alongside Colombian communities since 1987, supporting people affected by conflict, displacement and humanitarian crises.