Leading Israeli NGO’s long-term Colombia mission will lead the emergency response, focusing on meeting urgent mental health and water, hygiene, and sanitation needs.
IsraAID, Israel’s largest non-governmental humanitarian aid agency, is responding to a devastating earthquake in Colombia, mobilizing its long-term mission in the country to lead on the ground with support from IsraAID HQ.
At around 7:30 am local time on Monday, August 10th, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, destroying hospitals, schools and homes across the worst-affected cities. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia since record-keeping began in the early 1920s.
IsraAID’s response team is already in-country, drawn from the organization’s ongoing mission in Colombia and enabling the response to start immediately. With more than five years of sustained presence in Colombia, IsraAID is an active member of the local humanitarian architecture, working hand-in-hand with communities to address long-term challenges and acute crises.
Following this earthquake, IsraAID will focus on providing mental health and psychological support; mitigating urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene gaps; and carrying out rapid needs assessments in affected communities. We are already connecting with partners and local authorities to bring relief and resilience-building activities to affected people.
Karina García Uribe, IsraAID Colombia Country Director, said:
“Just a month and a half after the devastating earthquake in Venezuela, Colombia is now facing a similarly difficult situation, with communities that were not prepared to confront an event of this magnitude. In an emergency, acting in time can make the difference between vulnerability and the possibility of rebuilding hope.”
IsraAID will also continue delivering our ongoing humanitarian programs in Colombia.
IsraAID arrived in Colombia at the height of the Venezuelan refugee crisis in 2019. Since then, the mission has responded to frequent in-country emergencies and regional crises – most recently, co-leading our ongoing response to the earthquakes that struck neighboring Venezuela in June 2026. IsraAID has responded to frequent earthquakes, hurricanes, and displacement crises across Latin America and the Caribbean in recent years, including in the Bahamas, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and St Vincent & the Grenadines.
Donations to support IsraAID’s responses in Colombia and Venezuela can be made through the IsraAID Emergency Fund.
Further information is available on request, including interviews with CEO Yotam Polizer, IsraAID Colombia Country Director Karina García Uribe, and other individuals involved in this operation.
CONTACT:
Talia Cohen – Senior Communications Officer
Email: tcohen@israaid.org
Notes:
IsraAID is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Israel. Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises and a long-term commitment to working with affected communities. During and after emergencies, IsraAID partners with communities to rebuild their lives – and their futures – together. As of August 2026, IsraAID has responded to more than 110 emergencies in more than 65 countries.
