One month after the strongest earthquake to strike Colombia so far this century, the human and economic toll is still coming into focus. Authorities now count more than 661,000 people affected nationwide, with the hardest-hit areas facing an uphill battle to rebuild homes and restore basic services.
According to newspaper El Tiempo, donations from private companies and pledges from abroad have covered only about 6.4 percent of the estimated cost of reconstruction so far, leaving a massive funding gap. Officials say the most urgent needs are housing for displaced families and continued humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, and medical care for survivors still recovering from injuries.
In Cali, crews continue tearing down buildings left structurally unsafe by the quake, a slow and costly process that underscores how much work remains. Meanwhile, in Manizales and the surrounding Caldas region, local economies are struggling to stay afloat as residents and business owners try to resume some sense of normal life.
Behind the statistics are deeply personal stories, like that of 59-year-old Doris Rueda, who spent two weeks in intensive care with severe head trauma and is still relearning to move and speak as doctors work to help her regain the use of her legs.
To read the full report and follow the human stories behind the recovery effort, check out the original article on El Tiempo’s website.
Source: Un mes del peor terremoto del siglo en Colombia: ¿cuál es el balance de aportes y la recuperación? (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: Jocey K, BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse).