SCIAF has launched an emergency appeal to help those affected by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia.
The earthquake struck in the remote Chocó region of Colombia, where SCIAF has active projects.
The tragedy has killed at least 224 people, with more than 2,600 injured. It’s also thought that around 1,100 homes have been destroyed and 8,000 damaged by the quake, with health centres, education institutes and community centres also affected.
These figures are likely to increase as information comes in from the most remote areas where communication has broken down, especially with thousands still missing.
Geraldine Hill is SCIAF’s Programme Officer for Colombia and lived in the Latin American country for two years. SCIAF has been working in Colombia since the 1980s.
Geraldine said: “It’s heart-breaking to see communities in Chocó bear the brunt of this latest earthquake. These communities are already very poor and live surrounded by violence, the earthquake is just the latest challenge to confront them. Once again SCIAF’s local partners are responding as soon as the crisis happens.
“SCIAF sets aside emergency funds in our focus countries to speed up locally-led response. We have immediately released £10,000 from these funds for partners, and we are liaising closely with them to determine how best to help.
“Through our partners in Chocó, we can immediately reach out to those most in need. Our local Caritas partners are already there, working tirelessly to provide emergency relief where it’s needed the most. Please support this response through SCIAF’s appeal.”
To donate to SCIAF’s Colombia Earthquake appeal please visit:
sciaf.org.uk/colombia-earthquake or call us on 0141 354 5555.