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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE
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Office of the Spokesperson The Trump Administration has mobilized an immediate response following the devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck regions of Colombia on August 10. Within hours of the earthquake, the Department of State announced $15.5 million in life-saving emergency shelter, food, and protection assistance, in addition to post-earthquake structural assessments. The Department also activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), which includes humanitarian experts from across the State Department. Members of the DART began arriving in Colombia the day of this devastating earthquake, underscoring the Department’s commitment to immediate, life-saving action in the critical hours following natural disasters in our hemisphere. The State Department continues to liaise with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and the Colombian government as it assesses the impacts of and responds to this earthquake. The Department is deploying a DART to provide world-class disaster response expertise, technical and programmatic support, operational leadership, and on-the-ground coordination. The DART is responsible for assessing conditions, identifying humanitarian needs, and leading the U.S. Government’s disaster response. The DART is working closely with existing Department assistance personnel, as well as diplomats at our Embassy in Bogota to coordinate with local authorities and partner organizations. In response to the earthquake, the State Department is mobilizing an initial $15.5 million in life-saving emergency shelter, food, and protection assistance, in addition to post-earthquake structural assessments through trusted partners, including Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the International Organization for Migration, Miyamoto International, the UN World Food Program, and World Vision. Of the $15.5 million in life-saving assistance, $3 million provided through CRS draws from the previously announced CRS global assistance award. With funding already on hand through its global award, CRS can respond immediately through support from the State Department. Additionally, as part of the Department’s $3.8 billion contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United States provided $200 million to the Colombia Pooled Fund, which OCHA can use to address earthquake-related needs as well as preexisting humanitarian needs in Colombia. The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans. The Department of State is working tirelessly to provide consular assistance to U.S. citizens and their families in the affected areas. Americans in Colombia should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at STEP.state.gov to receive safety and security updates from the U.S. Embassy. They should follow @TravelGov and @USEmbassyBogota on social media for the latest information. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains a call center for Americans seeking information or assistance in connection with the Colombia earthquake: call from within the United States 888-407-4747, or from all other locations +1 202-501-4444.
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