Trump administration announces $15.5M in aid after deadly Colombia earthquake
Emergency funding will support shelter, food, and protection services through Catholic Relief Services and other aid organizations while U.S. disaster experts coordinate relief efforts alongside Colombian authorities.
The Trump administration has launched an emergency response effort following the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Aug. 10, pledging $15.5 million in humanitarian assistance and deploying disaster-response personnel to support relief efforts on the ground.
The U.S. Department of State announced the aid package within hours of the earthquake, according to an Aug. 11 press release from the department. The tremor caused widespread damage in affected regions and prompted an international humanitarian response. The funding will provide emergency shelter, food assistance, protection services, and structural assessments for damaged buildings as authorities continue to evaluate the full extent of the disaster.
In addition to the financial assistance, the State Department activated a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), a specialized group of humanitarian experts tasked with coordinating the U.S. government's response to major international disasters. Members of the team began arriving in Colombia the same day the earthquake struck.
According to the State Department, the DART will work alongside U.S. Embassy personnel in Bogotá, Colombian authorities, and humanitarian organizations to assess conditions, identify urgent needs, and coordinate relief efforts.
"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 agency said in a statement.
Much of the emergency aid will be distributed through established humanitarian partners already operating in the region. Organizations receiving support include Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the International Organization for Migration, Miyamoto International, the United Nations World Food Program, and World Vision.
Of the $15.5 million in assistance announced by the administration, $3 million will be delivered through CRS using funds from a previously approved global humanitarian assistance award. State Department officials noted that the existing funding arrangement allows CRS to respond immediately to disasters without waiting for new grants to be processed.
The U.S. government also highlighted its broader humanitarian support for Colombia through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As part of a larger U.S. contribution to OCHA, officials said $200 million has been provided to the Colombia Pooled Fund, which can be used to address both earthquake-related needs and ongoing humanitarian challenges within the country.
The State Department said it remains in communication with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella and other government officials as recovery efforts continue.
Alongside humanitarian assistance, the administration is providing consular support to Americans in Colombia. U.S. citizens in affected areas are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive updates from the U.S. Embassy and to monitor official State Department travel channels for safety information.
"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans," the department said, adding that consular personnel are available to assist U.S. citizens and their families impacted by the earthquake.
The full scope of the earthquake's damage and the number of people affected remain under assessment as rescue and recovery operations continue.
>> Earthquake in Colombia kills at least 100 people, collapses dozens of buildings <<
