Colombia begins massive rebuilding effort after 7.4-magnitude quake

Colombia is launching a large-scale reconstruction effort after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday killed at least 285 people and left more than 100,000 residents displaced. Tens of thousands of homes, schools, medical facilities and community centres were damaged or destroyed across more than 400 municipalities, officials said.

President Abelardo de la Espriella, inaugurated days before the disaster, described the situation as “complex” and announced a partnership with private companies to fund rebuilding, as well as subsidies for families who have lost their homes. He said national and international donations will be directed toward restoring hospitals, schools, roads and airports.

Survivors such as Ebert Jonathan Morales, 38, who is staying in a shelter in Cali with his wife and four children, said they have lost everything and are waiting for government assistance. Volunteers across the country are distributing food, toiletries and other supplies, with around 500 people gathering at a Bogotá reception centre to sort donations.

Experts stress that reconstruction will require a technical assessment to determine which structures can be repaired and which must be rebuilt. Yezid Alvarado Vargas, a construction engineering professor at Javeriana University, said temporary housing, food, health care and economic support must be secured before large-scale rebuilding begins.

Humanitarian groups note that the quake has hit already vulnerable regions, including the port city of Buenaventura and the Chocó department. Save the Children’s Colombia director, María Mercedes Liévano, said the disaster adds “a crisis on top of a crisis” for communities that have long lacked institutional support.

International aid has been pledged by several countries, and the president indicated a “Marshall Plan-style” approach to channel resources for the long-term recovery of the hardest-hit areas.