The International Planned Parenthood Federation is deeply concerned by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck western Colombia on the 10th of August. It is the strongest earthquake recorded in the country over the last decade.
Initial reports indicate that at more than 200 people have died and more than 1400 people have been injured. These figures remain preliminary and are expected to change as search and rescue operations continue. Homes and essential infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed in Cali, Pereira, Dosquebradas, Quibdó and Manizales. However, the full extent of the damage, particularly in remote areas of Chocó, is not yet known.
Five clinics operated by IPPF's Colombian Member Association, Profamilia, have been badly damaged and are currently closed.
Marta Royo, Executive Director of Profamilia, said:
“Profamilia’s Disaster Response Committee has been activated and is monitoring the wellbeing of our staff, their families, and our patients, while assessing damage to our infrastructure and identifying measures to ensure continuity of care. Among the clinics most affected so far are Cali, Quibdó, Pereira and Armenia.”
The earthquake hit some of the most remote and rural parts of Colombia. Damage to infrastructure and difficult terrain may make already isolated communities even harder to reach.
Marta Royo added:
“Natural disasters such as earthquakes can deepen existing inequalities and create new barriers to healthcare. For the communities Profamilia serves in the most affected territories, disruption in access to sexual and reproductive healthcare can have serious and lasting consequences, especially for women, girls, young people, migrants, and people already facing barriers to care.
Essential services cannot wait until the emergency is over. This includes contraception and emergency contraception, safe abortion care, maternal and prenatal healthcare, HIV and STI testing and treatment, and care and referral for survivors of gender-based violence.”
IPPF is working closely with Profamilia to understand the impact on services and prepare an emergency response. Eugenia López Uribe, Regional Director, IPPF Americas and the Caribbean, said:
“In times of crisis, healthcare cannot wait. We stand in deep solidarity with our colleagues at Profamilia and the people of Colombia during this devastating moment. Our regional team is mobilized alongside Profamilia to overcome geographical barriers, reach remote communities, and restore critical services as quickly and safely as possible.”
Disrupted transport and pressure on hospitals may further restrict access to essential healthcare. Pregnant women and people may face additional risks if referral routes, maternity services or emergency obstetric care are disrupted. Displacement and overcrowding in temporary shelters can also increase protection risks while reducing privacy, safety and access to menstrual health supplies and confidential care.
People on the move and refugees may encounter further barriers, particularly if they lack documentation, health insurance, reliable information or safe transport. Profamilia leads IPPF's Safe Passage initiative in Latin America, coordinating with other Member Associations in the region to improve access to sexual and reproductive healthcare along migration routes. This experience will be particularly important in ensuring that people on the move are not excluded from the response.
Profamilia is seeking support to restore its damaged facilities and maintain the continuity of essential services:
“We urgently need resources to assess and restore damaged infrastructure, safeguard medical equipment and cold-chain supplies, and maintain access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare for the communities that depend on us.
With the support of our partners and donors, Profamilia can respond quickly, recover safely and ensure that women, girls, young people, migrants and affected communities do not lose access to the care they need during this crisis.” Marta Royo, Executive Director of Profamilia
As communities begin to confront the lasting impact of the earthquake, Maria Antonieta Alcalde, Director General of IPPF, expressed her solidarity and support for Profamilia and everyone affected by the earthquake:
“The scale of destruction across western Colombia is heartbreaking. Families are grieving, communities have been displaced, and many people face an uncertain wait for news of those still missing. Our thoughts, solidarity and support are with our colleagues at Profamilia, whose work is so central to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights across Colombia. Its staff know these communities, understand the barriers they face and will remain alongside them throughout the response and recovery. In the difficult days and months ahead, we stand in solidarity with everyone affected.”
when
country
Colombia
Subject
Humanitarian
