On August 10, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia near San Jose del Palmar in Choco and was felt across much of the country, causing an unknown number of casualties and widespread destruction. Buildings, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed or damaged. Families have been displaced. HALO is dispatching our vehicle fleet, operational reach, and medically qualified personnel to help wherever we are able, particularly in rural communities that are far from response centers.
While government and emergency services are mobilizing, isolated rural communities remain difficult to reach due to damaged infrastructure, disrupted communications, and their distance from established response centers. Buenos Aires, Morales, and Suarez have a higher proportion of indigenous communities and are all areas where HALO is already operating, which means they are all also affected by conflict. Communities are reaching out for support, particularly for food, water, and supplies.
HALO is currently distributing food and hygiene packages across the municipalities of Buenos Aires, Morales, and Suarez. Each package costs $75 for a family of four and provides much needed food items like rice, beans, lentils, and cooking supplies, as well as hygiene items like toilet paper, toothbrushes, and soap. With funding, we are also able to provide support to identified schools and homes in need of reconstruction.
HALO has been operating in Colombia since 2013. HALO's work supporting this crisis will help families in their time of great need. Each food package can feed a family of four for two weeks. And supporting reconstruction efforts of homes and schools will benefit families and students for years to come.
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