Relief hub works non-stop to distribute vital supplies in Colombia after earthquake

A major relief supply distribution center is operating around the clock at the western edge of the city of Pereira, capital of Colombia's Risaralda Department, sorting and dispatching aid to the neediest affected communities following a devastating earthquake.

The quake struck cities across western Colombia at 7:34 local time on Aug. 10, leaving at least 289 people dead, 3,935 injured and 320 missing, according to data released by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) on Sunday. Pereira is one of the most severely impacted cities in the region.

At the largest relief supply distribution hub in Risaralda Department, from dawn until late into the night, supplies ranging from food and drinking water to medical provisions and daily necessities, arriving from across the country and even internationally, keep pouring in. The relief supplies are quickly sorted, packed, and dispatched to the victims who need them most.

"The volume of supplies is increasing, and we hope to receive even more because the demand is truly enormous. In the past couple of days, for instance, we have experienced shortages of some food packages. We still need grains, new undergarments, basic toiletries, and protective masks, and these are running low. In short, the needs are quite urgent right now. Almost everything that an ordinary household requires is needed," said Viviana Lucía Barney, a staff member of the Municipal Government of Pereira.

From morning to night, the center has been bustling not only with officials but also with waves of volunteers who have stepped forward on their own initiative. Over the past five days, more than 1,500 volunteers have contributed their time and energy, working in rotating shifts to handle everything from hauling cargo to sorting and packing.

"Seeing the ruins, seeing people who have lost family members, lost their homes, and seeing how many have lost everything, it truly breaks my heart. This disaster has also given us many ways to get involved in the relief work. We are volunteering from 6:00 to midnight, but everyone divides the shifts according to different time slots," said a volunteer.

Colombia's National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) updated the death toll of the recent magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Sunday, noting that as of 07:30 of the day, the disaster had caused 289 deaths and 4,187 injuries.

The death toll was revised down by five from the previous day's figure, but the agency did not explain the reason yet.

According to the updated data, 143 people remained missing and another 354 were rescued in the earthquake.

The UNGRD of Colombia also reported that the disaster had affected 120,238 families, or 185,016 people. It also reported that 66 buildings had collapsed, while 26,945 homes were destroyed and 127,557 others damaged.

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake jolted Colombia at 07:34 Monday local time, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The quake severely hit 32 cities across the nation.