A devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó. The earthquake—the strongest recorded in Colombia in the 21st century—caused widespread destruction across western and central parts of the country, with Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, and surrounding communities among the hardest hit.

As of August 13, authorities report 273 fatalities, 3,824 injuries, and 377 people missing, while more than 97,500 people from over 40,000 families have been affected. More than 12,500 homes have been destroyed and nearly 75,000 damaged, leaving families in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, medical care, hygiene supplies, and other essential assistance. Search-and-rescue operations and humanitarian relief efforts continue as authorities assess the full extent of the disaster.