Source: United Nations (video statements)
The 10 August 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia left 331 people dead, 4,449 injured and 219 missing. More than 406,000 people have been affected across 16 departments.
Many of the hardest-hit areas were already facing high levels of poverty, isolation and armed violence.
UN Resident Coordinator in Colombia, María José Torres Macho, told reporters at UN Headquarters that ‘those areas most affected are those areas most vulnerable,’ adding that the pre-existing conflict is creating challenges for both the emergency response and recovery.
Since 10 August, the UN system and humanitarian partners have reached around 72,000 people in 36 municipalities across Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda and Caldas with food, water, medical care, medicines, shelter, psychosocial support, protection and education services.