A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 312 lives, with government figures reporting 29,000 homes destroyed. The quake's epicenter was in the Choco region, an area already grappling with severe poverty, underdeveloped infrastructure, and underfunded health and education services.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 69,000 people in Choco were affected or displaced, representing about 10% of the region's population. More than 200 schools sustained damage, and the region's poor internet access is expected to hinder online education efforts for children.
Choco, home to approximately 600,000 inhabitants, predominantly Afro-Colombian and Indigenous peoples, is one of Colombia's most neglected territories. Accessible primarily by air or boat due to its mountainous terrain and dense rainforests, many towns lack road connections. The region's coastline, stretching over 650 kilometers, is largely disconnected from the interior by road.
Adding to the devastation, Choco faces a "triple crisis," according to Luis Mora, the United Nations Population Fund's representative in Colombia. This includes the immediate humanitarian crisis from the earthquake, the ongoing crisis of underdevelopment, and the persistent crisis of armed conflict, with rebel groups vying for control of illegal mines and drug trafficking routes, often displacing civilians.
Cristian Maturana, a doctor at Quibdo's only public hospital, described the overwhelmed emergency room following the earthquake, filled with patients suffering broken bones and other injuries. Due to insufficient personnel and equipment, 36 patients with severe fractures were airlifted to a hospital in Medellin. The hospital's capacity to provide blood transfusions was also compromised when its only blood storage refrigerator was damaged by a power surge, although it has since been replaced by a donation.
Despite receiving aid in the form of medical supplies, the hospital continues to face shortages of essential items like wheelchairs and beds. Camilo Prieto, a doctor with the Colombian Environmental Movement, noted the difficulty of reaching remote towns by land, necessitating the use of helicopters and small planes for aid delivery, often facilitated by private aircraft owners.
Bishop Wiston Mosquera of the Quibdo diocese expressed hope that the earthquake would draw attention to Choco's systemic issues, including inadequate healthcare, a lack of roads, and unreliable power supply, stating the region is "decades behind the rest of Colombia’s regions."
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has visited Choco twice since the disaster, promising significant infrastructure investment and job creation programs. He also pledged to appoint a government official to oversee the recovery and provide subsidies for homeless families.
However, Ismael Arias, a 66-year-old math teacher who lost his home, voiced skepticism given the region's history of neglect. He expressed concern about his ability to rebuild with his teacher's salary, estimating the cost of his destroyed two-story home at $32,000. Arias and his partner are currently staying with relatives, a situation he described as lacking the freedom of his own home.
Choco's economic challenges are significant, with the highest unemployment rate in Colombia last year and a GDP per capita of approximately $3,500 in 2025, a quarter of that of Bogota, according to the nation's statistics agency DANE.