As rubble clears, Colombia begins focusing on recovery after the earthquake

What the report says

One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, the response is shifting from rescue to recovery, according to Al Jazeera. The disaster hit the rural town of San Jose del Palmar in the Pacific region and damaged nearby cities including Pereira, Quibdo and Cali. Government figures cited in the report say at least 289 people were killed and 4,187 injured, with 143 still unaccounted for. Officials also said more than 127,000 homes were damaged and nearly 27,000 destroyed, alongside damage to schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and airports.

Al Jazeera reported that emergency crews have saved 354 people so far, but search-and-rescue work is being scaled back in some locations as the chances of finding survivors fall. In Cali, operations at the collapsed Vanessa apartment building have been paused and shifted toward body recovery. Local responders and volunteers said international teams from countries including Israel, the United States and Mexico have joined the effort.

Aid groups and authorities are now prioritizing shelter, food, water and hygiene supplies for people left homeless. Temporary shelters have been opened in sports facilities and community centers in cities such as Cali and Pereira. The report noted that needs are especially acute in Choco, a poorer province already affected by conflict and displacement, where residents said institutional response has been slow.

Beyond the human toll, the earthquake has caused heavy economic damage for businesses and local infrastructure, leaving many families and shop owners facing costly rebuilding with limited insurance or savings. Al Jazeera’s reporting shows Colombia moving into a longer recovery phase while the full scale of the destruction is still being assessed.