People search for survivors amongst collapsed buildings in Colombia

URGENT: COLOMBIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Help children and families recover after this devastating earthquake.

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A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has devastated communities across Colombia. Tremors were felt as far as Bogotá, Medellín and Cali, and the country has since seen around 29 significant aftershocks. 224 people have sadly lost their lives, 195 are missing and over 2,500 have been injured. Homes, schools and hospitals have been damaged or destroyed across 13 departments, with Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó and Caldas among the worst affected. 

Many of the hardest-hit communities in Chocó can only be reached by river, making it more difficult to deliver lifesaving aid. Colombia is also hosting families who have fled neighbouring Venezuela, placing extra pressure on vulnerable communities. 

Children and families affected by the earthquake urgently need safe shelter, food, clean water and protection. Your donation can help World Vision respond to these immediate needs and support children as communities begin to recover. 

Please provide lifesaving support by donating today. 

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Donate now to help save lives after the Colombia earthquake

Your gift can provide critical support for children and families affected by this devastating disaster.

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How your donation will help children affected by the earthquake

We’ve been working in Colombia since 1978. Our teams are already on the ground, assessing the damage and identifying the children and families who most need help. 

But we can’t reach everyone without your support. 

Children urgently need shelter, food and clean water. And someone to offer comfort and reassurance when everything feels frightening.  Your donation will put emergency supplies into the hands of families who’ve lost everything. It reaches children sleeping outside, too afraid to go home. And it means our teams can keep going further, faster, to get help to those who need it. 

Your donation today can help provide emergency food, clean water, safe shelter and vital support for children’s wellbeing as they face the impact and trauma of the earthquake. 

Please give what you can today.

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In Colombia, we’re providing protection, safe water, hygiene, shelter and safe spaces for children and families most at risk.

Peter Gape

National Director, World Vision Colombia

How is World Vision responding to the Colombia earthquake?

Colombia has declared a national emergency, and World Vision is scaling up its response across the areas where we work. In Chocó, our teams are delivering support alongside our existing humanitarian partners focused on food security, water, sanitation and hygiene, and protection for children and their families. 

Reaching families with emergency essentials

As needs are confirmed, World Vision is preparing to support affected families with essential assistance such as emergency food, clean water, hygiene supplies and safe shelter. 

Protecting and supporting children

Children can face particular risks after an earthquake, including displacement, loss of safe spaces and emotional distress. World Vision’s emergency response puts children’s safety, protection and wellbeing at the centre of its work. 

Helping communities recover

Emergency support is only the beginning. As immediate needs change, World Vision work alongside communities to help children and families recover and build greater resilience for the future. 

What your Colombia earthquake donation can provide

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Why children are especially vulnerable after an earthquake

Earthquakes can change a child’s life in moments. Homes and schools can become unsafe, families may be displaced and access to clean water, food and healthcare can be disrupted. 

Children may also experience fear and distress after losing their home or seeing their community damaged. Keeping children safe and supporting their wellbeing is therefore an important part of emergency response and recovery. 

How we work in emergencies

When emergencies hit, children are often the most at risk. That’s why we need to be there – in places torn apart by disasters and conflict.

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Why donate to World Vision

In 2025, over 300 million children were impacted through World Vision’s programmes and advocacy.

Colombia earthquake FAQs

  • The earthquake struck western Colombia, with the epicentre close to San José del Palmar in Chocó. Tremors were felt much further afield, including in major cities across Colombia.

  • The earthquake struck western Colombia on the morning of 10 August 2026, at approximately 7:34am local time.

  • The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 and struck western Colombia in Chocó.

  • The earthquake has damaged homes and essential services, leaving families facing urgent needs including safe shelter, food, clean water and protection.

    For children, losing their home, being displaced and experiencing a frightening disaster can also affect their safety and emotional wellbeing.

  • Families affected by the earthquake urgently need essentials including safe shelter, food and clean water. Children may also need protection and support for their wellbeing as families recover from the disaster.

  • You can support children and families affected by the Colombia earthquake by donating to World Vision’s Colombia Earthquake Appeal. Your donation can help provide emergency food, clean water, safe shelter and protection to families facing urgent needs.

Help children and families affected by the Colombia earthquake

Children and families affected by the Colombia earthquake urgently need support. Your donation can help World Vision provide emergency assistance to communities affected by this devastating disaster.

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