Brussels: The European Union is actively mobilising civil protection assistance to support Colombia following a severe 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Sweden has pledged to provide 150 tents and 360 blankets, Germany is dispatching 3,000 kitchen sets and 2,500 water filters, while Luxembourg is contributing 79 tents through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the European Commission has deployed a Rapid Response Coordinator to Colombia to aid in the coordination of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and humanitarian efforts on the ground. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated: "Europe's heart is with the people of Colombia after the devastating earthquake. We are sending essential supplies to support communities in need. We stand with the Colombian people through this emergency and the recovery ahead."
This civil protection assistance is in addition to the £2.1 million in emergency humanitarian funding announced by the European Commission on 12 August. EU humanitarian partners are already providing critical services such as health, water, sanitation, hygiene assistance, shelter, food, protection, and cash support to affected communities.
EU support was activated in the initial hours following the earthquake. The Commission has also employed the Copernicus satellite mapping service to assist rescue operations and provide preliminary damage assessments. Additionally, the German Red Cross, an EU humanitarian partner, has reallocated £100,000 from an EU-funded project to meet the immediate needs of 2,500 affected families in Choc³ and Valle del Cauca.