On August 10th, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. It was the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in a decade. The disaster damaged homes and essential infrastructure across multiple departments, displacing residents and disrupting access to health care and other critical services.
Chocó, which has a large Afro-Colombian population, was among the hardest-hit areas. During this catastrophic tragedy, where 335 people died, 4,611 people were injured, and which left 111 people missing, it remains the country’s deadliest earthquake since the 1990s.
Though spread out through other nations and departments, most deaths occurred in Valle del Cauca and Risaralda, as the earthquake caused severe humanitarian and protection challenges for vulnerable populations, especially girls and women. More than 31,460 homes were destroyed. 4,996 community centers and 348 health facilities were affected due to conditions from the event. This large scale loss of housing, displacement, and disruption from essential networks have heightened risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially in rural communities.
In these communities, girls and women face heightened risks of exploitation, harassment, and sexual abuse due to the increase of displacement and chaos as a result of the earthquake. These risks can be categorized into three key impacts girls and women face in Colombia and in many other parts of the world. Protection risks are one key impact, as thousands of families rely on temporary shelters where inadequate privacy, lighting, and sanitation continuously increase exposure to GBV.
Chocó, among the most affected departments, is an area already suffering from pre-existing social and economic inequalities and vulnerabilities, now exacerbated by the 7.4 earthquake. This highlights the second key impact on women and girls, sexual and reproductive health gaps. Pregnant women, specifically those living in rural and remote areas where access was already limited, have suffered greatly from these further deepened barriers. Women and adolescent girls increasingly lack access to menstrual products, hygiene kits, and safe spaces.
These issues are interconnected and compounded by the last key impact, increased displacement and the loss of support networks. The loss of homes and community support systems have reduced girls and women’s access to education, healthcare, and protection services.
Large international actors, including the UNFPA have done tremendous work to aid Colombia’s response to this catastrophic natural disaster. This is a program the US cut all funding to under the current administration.
The earthquake highlights how decisions made by governments and international institutions can affect communities beyond their borders. In the United States, Congress plays an important role in appropriating federal funds, overseeing foreign assistance, and shaping trade policy. The administration also influences how foreign policy priorities are carried out.
The November 3 midterm elections will determine the makeup of Congress, whose members will help shape debates over federal spending, international assistance, and oversight. Voters who want to understand the United States’ role in international humanitarian response can review candidates’ public positions, examine federal funding decisions, and follow how elected officials approach foreign aid and trade.