US announces $15.5 million emergency aid for Colombia after deadly earthquake kills 111
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "US announces $15.5 million emergency aid for Colombia after deadly earthquake kills 111")
People and rescuers look for survivors amid the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake in Cali, Colombia on August 10, 2026. Photograph: (AFP)
A powerful earthquake has left Colombia scrambling to rescue survivors from collapsed buildings, with the death toll already reaching 111. As the scale of the devastation emerges, the United States has announced a major emergency aid package for the quake-hit country.
The United States has announced an emergency aid package worth $15.5 million for Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the country, killing at least 111 people and leaving rescuers searching through collapsed buildings for survivors. The US State Department announced the assistance on Monday (Aug 10), three days after Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella took office.
"We are united in prayer with the Colombian people and stand ready to support President Abelardo de la Espriella," the State Department said in a post on X.
Also read | At least 111 killed as powerful quake of 7.4 magnitude jolts Colombia; dozens of buildings collapse
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia's coffee-growing region and Pacific coast shortly after 7:30 am local time, triggering widespread panic and damaging more than 1,500 buildings. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to search areas buried under rubble.
Colombia declares state of emergency
President de la Espriella declared a state of emergency following the earthquake and vowed that the country would "move forward together." Hospitals were placed on red alert as emergency crews and volunteers rushed to affected areas.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
In Cali, volunteers joined firefighters and rescue workers at the site of a collapsed multi-storey building. Witnesses said a man and a baby had been pulled from the rubble, while rescuers continued searching for other people trapped inside.
The scale of the destruction varied across the country. In Manizales, several buildings were damaged, including part of the city's neo-Gothic cathedral. Roads were disrupted, and residents stayed away from their homes amid fears of aftershocks.
The earthquake was also felt in Bogota, where residents rushed into the streets after feeling the strong shaking. The capital, however, reported only limited damage.
Also read | Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
US steps in as rescue efforts continue
The US said it was closely monitoring the situation and was prepared to support Colombia's emergency response.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was "closely monitoring" the disaster and stood ready to help the Colombian people.
Other countries have also offered assistance. The European Union activated its Copernicus satellite service to support rescue and damage assessment efforts, while Israel, Mexico, Ecuador and France also offered help.
