Colombia decided to limit international support for search and rescue operations to four countries following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on Monday (10). Teams from the United States, Israel, El Salvador and Ecuador were selected to work alongside Colombian rescuers.
Colombia chooses only 4 countries aligned with the government to help with rescues
Colombia decided to limit international support for search and rescue operations to four countries following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on Monday (10). Teams from the United States, Israel, El Salvador and Ecuador...
The measure was announced this Wednesday (12) by David Tamayo, director of the National Risk and Disaster Management Unit (UNGRD). According to him, the choice took into account compliance with international protocols for emergency operations.
- “We will only accept support from countries that can guarantee us search and rescue teams recognized by the international system,” declared Tamayo.
- According to the planning informed by the authorities, foreign groups must take turns with local teams during work in the regions affected by the tremor.
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The measure was announced this Wednesday (12) by David Tamayo, director of the National Risk and Disaster Management Unit (UNGRD). According to him, the choice took into account compliance with international protocols for emergency operations.
“We will only accept support from countries that can guarantee us search and rescue teams recognized by the international system,” declared Tamayo.
According to the planning informed by the authorities, foreign groups must take turns with local teams during work in the regions affected by the tremor.
The four countries authorized to send experts are currently close to the government of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took command of Colombia last week. Chancellor Omar Bula Escobar, however, denied that political or ideological criteria determined the selection. According to him, the government maintains cooperation with different nations.
Earthquake in Colombia leaves more than 250 dead
The death toll caused by the earthquake has already exceeded 250, according to the most recent balance released by Colombian authorities.
The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, a municipality in the department of Chocó, in western Colombia. The force of the shock caused the tremor to be perceived hundreds of kilometers away.
Residents of Bogotá, Medellín, Quibdó, Manizales, Pereira and Cali also felt the earthquake. The coffee region, close to the epicenter, appears among the areas that suffered the most serious impacts.
Search operations continue in the affected areas while teams try to locate victims and expand assistance to the population affected by the disaster.
After earthquake, Mercosur members offer help to Colombia
In a statement released this Wednesday (12), the bloc expressed its “total willingness” to collaborate with the Colombian authorities in rescue actions and assistance to victims, as well as in recovering the damage to infrastructure.