World Vision rapidly assessing emergency needs following powerful Colombia earthquake
World Vision are carrying out rapid emergency assessments following the powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on 10 August.
World Vison is working with local authorities and organisations to assess needs, identify humanitarian access routes, and determine where assistance is most urgently required.
The child-focused humanitarian organisation warns that children are most at risk following the deadly earthquake, which was felt across several major cities, including Bogotá, Manizales, Pereira and Cali, with its epicentre located in the department of Chocó.
"Children are particularly vulnerable when emergencies disrupt homes, essential services, and the systems that normally protect them," says Peter Gape, Bi-national Director for Colombia and Venezuela.
"Ensuring their safety and wellbeing will remain central to our response. Our teams are working directly with communities, authorities and humanitarian partners to understand where the greatest needs are and how assistance can reach families safely and quickly."
World Vision is focusing on the immediate needs of children and families.
Planned assistance includes emergency shelter and essential household items such as tarpaulins, tools, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils and lamps, along with water filters, hygiene kits, purification tablets and community water storage solutions to address water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs.
World Vision also plans to establish Child-Friendly Spaces to provide safe environments and activities for children and adolescents affected by the emergency, alongside ready-to-eat food for the most vulnerable.
The full impact of the earthquake is still unfolding, with several areas remaining without electricity and water, and communication systems are disrupted and overwhelmed. The earthquake, which had a depth of 88 kilometres, was felt as far as Ecuador and Panama, where metro service was suspended as a precaution following the seismic alert.
As the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, attention is turning to the immediate needs of children and families affected.
World Vision New Zealand National Director, TJ Grant, says, "New Zealanders know too well how suddenly an earthquake can turn lives upside down. Our teams are already on the ground, working with local partners to understand where the needs are greatest and help ensure children and families get the support they urgently need."
World Vison is working with local authorities and organisations to assess needs, identify humanitarian access routes, and determine where assistance is most urgently required.
The child-focused humanitarian organisation warns that children are most at risk following the deadly earthquake, which was felt across several major cities, including Bogotá, Manizales, Pereira and Cali, with its epicentre located in the department of Chocó.
"Children are particularly vulnerable when emergencies disrupt homes, essential services, and the systems that normally protect them," says Peter Gape, Bi-national Director for Colombia and Venezuela.
"Ensuring their safety and wellbeing will remain central to our response. Our teams are working directly with communities, authorities and humanitarian partners to understand where the greatest needs are and how assistance can reach families safely and quickly."
World Vision is focusing on the immediate needs of children and families.
Planned assistance includes emergency shelter and essential household items such as tarpaulins, tools, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils and lamps, along with water filters, hygiene kits, purification tablets and community water storage solutions to address water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs.
World Vision also plans to establish Child-Friendly Spaces to provide safe environments and activities for children and adolescents affected by the emergency, alongside ready-to-eat food for the most vulnerable.
The full impact of the earthquake is still unfolding, with several areas remaining without electricity and water, and communication systems are disrupted and overwhelmed. The earthquake, which had a depth of 88 kilometres, was felt as far as Ecuador and Panama, where metro service was suspended as a precaution following the seismic alert.
As the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, attention is turning to the immediate needs of children and families affected.
World Vision New Zealand National Director, TJ Grant, says, "New Zealanders know too well how suddenly an earthquake can turn lives upside down. Our teams are already on the ground, working with local partners to understand where the needs are greatest and help ensure children and families get the support they urgently need."