The United States is sending an additional $11 million in humanitarian assistance to Colombia following a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country earlier this week, the State Department announced Friday.
The new funding brings total U.S. earthquake relief for Colombia to $26.5 million following the disaster on August 10. The aid package covers emergency food, shelter, healthcare, and water supplies, along with structural safety assessments in heavily damaged areas.
Federal officials said the relief is being distributed through international organizations and aid groups, including the UN World Food Program, UNICEF, the International Organization for Migration, Catholic Relief Services, and the Red Cross.
The newly announced funds build on an initial $15.5 million commitment made on August 11. In addition, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs can draw from a separate $200 million Colombia Pooled Fund, established earlier this year through U.S. contributions, to support ongoing recovery efforts.
To speed up delivery, the State Department is working with U.S. Southern Command to fly emergency cargo directly from a prepositioning warehouse in Miami to Colombia. The first transport flight was scheduled to leave Homestead Air Force Base in Florida on Friday, carrying shelter materials, water purification tools, and hygiene kits. Once on the ground, aid workers with the International Organization for Migration and the World Food Program will manage distribution to affected communities.
Friday’s flight also carries hundreds of Starlink satellite internet terminals to restore communications for relief workers and Colombian government agencies. The hardware rollout falls under a disaster response agreement signed earlier this summer between the State Department and Starlink.
The logistical push comes alongside specialized urban search-and-rescue teams already operating on site. Two technical units, made up of personnel from fire departments in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California, arrived in Colombia on August 12. They are currently assisting Colombian rescue crews with communications, on-site coordination, and structural engineering evaluations.
U.S. officials said the State Department remains in direct contact with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and local authorities to track evolving recovery needs. Consular teams are also working to locate and assist U.S. citizens in the impacted regions.
The State Department has urged Americans in Colombia to register through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at STEP.state.gov for safety updates, and has established assistance hotlines at 888-407-4747 for callers in North America and +1 202-501-4444 for international callers.
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