On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake centered in the Chocó region struck western Colombia, severely affecting departments such as Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, and Caldas. The disaster claimed the lives of more than two hundred people, injured thousands, and caused extensive damage to homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. Amid the tragedy, international solidarity was quick to emerge, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) was among the first institutions to respond.
The IDB Group made available up to US$300 million in contingent emergency financing for Colombia, a mechanism designed to ensure that countries can access resources quickly during the most critical moments following a disaster. In addition, the Group provided US$500,000 in non-reimbursable technical cooperation to support the most urgent response efforts. Its President, Ilan Goldfajn, spoke personally with the President of Colombia to convey the institution’s solidarity and commitment to supporting the country.
These contributions are part of a broader mobilization by the multilateral banking community, which also included resources from the World Bank and CAF, and was complemented by a remarkable effort from Colombia’s private sector and civil society. Together, these initiatives aim to address the most critical phase of the emergency while laying the groundwork for the reconstruction of the affected areas.
For Unidos en Red, this response reaffirms the importance of having financial protection mechanisms in place before a disaster occurs, a conviction we share with the IDB. We are proud to count on an ally that understands that true resilience is built through collaboration and collective action, and we send our deepest support, solidarity, and strength to the Colombian people as they move forward on their path to recovery.