News

UN assesses aid needed for Colombian earthquake zone

James Ciment , New York

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs dispatched four teams to Colombia last week to assess aid requirements after the devastating earthquake that struck the coffee growing region of Colombia on 25 January.

The UN Disaster and Assessment and Coordination teams are working with the Colombian government and local authorities to find ways that the United Nations and the international community can help with emergency aid and rebuilding. "We act at the request of the governments that seek our assistance," said Kayo Godoh, speaking for the department of advocacy and external relations of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and explaining the four day delay between the earthquake and the teams' dispatch.

The earthquake-measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale and centred in the small city of Armenia -has killed an estimated 1000 people and injured over 2300, with hundreds more still missing in the wreckage, according to the United Nations resident coordinator in Bogota, Colombia's capital. In addition, at least 4500 homes and 170 commercial and government buildings were destroyed. With tens of thousands of people living in emergency shelters and "tent cities" erected along major roads, the humanitarian crisis is great, say observers on the scene.

According to Fred Eckhard, spokesman for the UN secretary general's office, the organisation has already dispatched tents, blankets, drinking water, generators, and cash - for purchasing supplies within Colombia. It is not known yet whether more long term aid will be needed. "There will be an official appeal, with a specific list of needs, issued by the Colombian government," said Godoh, "and we will work from that."

Donors giving blood for Colombian earthquake survivors where the UN is assessing long term aid requirements