The United States has announced it will provide $15.5 million in aid to Colombia to support various relief efforts, as the death toll rises to 111 and many remain trapped under rubble.
On Monday, 10 Aug 2026 GMT+7, the U.S. Department of State announced on X that it is allocating $15.5 million in aid to Colombia for shelter, food, protection, and damage assessment following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that caused heavy damage in Colombia.
“We send our sympathies and prayers to all Colombians and stand ready to support President Abelardo de la Espriella and his government as they assess the needs on the ground,” the U.S. Department of State said in a statement.
This 7.4 magnitude earthquake originated more than 100 kilometers underground near San Jose del Palmar in Colombia’s Chocó province. President de la Espriella confirmed at least 111 deaths and 87 injuries.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing across the affected region, where 61 buildings have collapsed and 1,575 homes sustained heavy damage, prompting the Colombian government to declare a national emergency.
Local Colombian officials revealed that several patients remain trapped under the partially collapsed hospital in Cali, located in western Colombia.
Dilian Francisca Toro, Governor of Valle del Cauca province, told local media that parts of the University Hospital of Cali, including the pediatric ward, "have collapsed, trapping people inside," and authorities are working urgently to rescue them.
Erne Torres Castro, the hospital director, told reporters that about 30% of the hospital’s infrastructure has collapsed, including a three-story building housing pediatrics, internal medicine, and part of the neonatal unit.
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