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August 27, 2026
Following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) in Colombia has been working with Indigenous and Afro-descendant organizations and territorial authorities to identify needs and coordinate an initial humanitarian response.
To date, 1,500 beneficiary families have been confirmed for support across Valle del Cauca, Caldas, Chocó, Antioquia, and Risaralda.
Responding to urgent needs
At the start of the emergency, direct cash donations were made to the aid organization Pastoral Social in Quibdó, Chocó, and Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, enabling both organizations to respond to the most urgent needs on the ground without delay.
The initial humanitarian response is now focused on delivering support identified and determined with the communities themselves, including:
- Food kits: 1,069 approved to date, providing a 15-day supply per family
- Hygiene kits: 1,046 approved to date, including personal hygiene and cleaning supplies
- Baby kits: 229 approved to date, including diapers, blankets, baby food, and hygiene items
- First-aid kits: 21 approved to date, providing basic medical supplies for communities
- Direct economic support: 18 families currently receiving transfers in Quibdó and Apía
The response also includes emergency temporary shelters, housing repair materials and tools, and infrastructure support adapted to the conditions and construction practices of each territory.
For example, a large shelter tent will be provided for San Pedro Claver school in Bajo San Juan, Buenaventura, where it will serve as a temporary classroom during the day and shelter at night.
Reaching communities across five departments
Support is being coordinated with communities and organizations across the affected region.
In Bajo San Juan and Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, 417 Wounaan families are set to receive food and hygiene kits, along with baby kits and first-aid kits. Reaching these communities requires approximately two hours of river transport by boat, with fuel support included in the logistics.
In Caldas, 513 families across 14 Indigenous reserves and Indigenous communities in Riosucio, Supía, Filadelfia, Anserma, and nearby municipalities have approved food and hygiene kits, while infrastructure needs continue to be discussed with the communities.
In Barrio La Playita in Buenaventura, 70 Afro-descendant families have been approved for baby kits, along with a housing repair solution adapted to local conditions and construction practices.
Additional support is being coordinated for communities in the Vania Chami reserve, the Community Council of Quibdó, the Guarne community in Apía, and the Embera community of Jengado in Vigía del Fuerte.
Listening first, responding together
Every delivery will follow the logistics decided upon with each organization, so that aid reaches communities through their own structures and authorities.
This means that support is not being approached as a one-size-fits-all response. The family kits have been selected with the communities, while shelter, housing repairs, and infrastructure solutions are being adapted to the specific conditions of each territory.
The response is continuing, with supplier quotes being finalized, additional requests being reviewed, and housing and infrastructure solutions being identified alongside the communities.
Help support the recovery
The initial emergency response is underway, but communities will continue to need support as they recover and rebuild.
Your donation can help the Amazon Conservation Team continue supporting Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities affected by the earthquake.
Every contribution helps us stand with our partners as they respond to this crisis and begin the long process of recovery.
