A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude struck western Colombia in the morning of Monday 10 August as many Colombians were beginning their daily commute. The epicentre was in the municipality of San José del Palmar, department of Chocó, while cities such as Cali and Pereira were badly impacted. An initial death toll of over 180 is likely to rise, with 188 reported missing in Cali alone. Emergency teams with radar equipment and sniffer dogs are joining civilians in the search for survivors.
Among those affected are some of JFC’s partner projects. The earthquake destroyed the building of CEDEHUPAZ, a Cali-based initiative set up to support victims of conflict and state violence that is funded by JFC affiliates. They provide shelter to trade unionists and others displaced by violence, as well as offering legal training and support.
The building being renovated by the ‘De Mano en Mano’ (From Hand to Hand) cooperative has also been damaged. De Mano en Mano is run by peace signatories (former FARC guerrillas in the peace process) whose dream is to create a space where communities can come together to develop cultural, economic and social initiatives that promote peace, reconciliation and social justice. It is not yet clear how far their efforts have been set back. Members of these organisations are involved in rescue efforts.
Both CEDEHUPAZ and De Mano en Mano have hosted British and Irish trade unionists at their workplaces in Cali. Members or officials of UNISON, Forsa, Equity, the NEU, the POA, ASLEF, NASUWT, PCS, the FBU and others have seen these projects first-hand. On each occasion, the guests have been deeply impressed by the commitment to peace and human rights, often achieved on low resources. The overarching aim is to contribute to the broader struggle for an end to conflict and the strengthening of social justice.
The relief operation is still in its initial stages and JFC will update as the situation becomes clearer. Chocó, where the earthquake struck strongest, is a chronically underdeveloped region, which leaves the population particularly at risk due to poor infrastructure, inaccessibility and preexisting inadequate medical and clean water provisions.
New president Abelardo de la Espriella, whose inauguration was in Cali three days earlier, has been widely criticised after he was filmed laughing and blowing kisses as he prepared to hold a press conference announcing his response to the earthquake. Many Colombians have criticised the new government’s response to the disaster, which De la Espriella has promised to lead in person. Moreover, while the US government has pledged $15.5m dollars in humanitarian assistance, this pales in comparison to the $1b dollars security aid announced shortly after De la Espriella took office on 7 August.
JFC is receiving donations from trade union and supporters to assist our partner organisations and wider relief efforts to assist victims, with the POA union for prison officers donating £3,000. We would like to thank all those who have sent solidarity and contributed to the fund. You can donate by visiting our website. Please reference your donation by writing ‘earthquake’ in the Job Title field.