Colombia's UNGRD embroiled in corruption scandal while launching new emergency centre

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in Colombia is at the center of a high‑profile corruption case. Former congressional leaders Iván Name and Andrés Calle are accused of accepting bribes amounting to billions of pesos that were allegedly financed through a private loan to former UNGRD sub‑director Sneyder Pinilla. Prosecutors say the money was used to secure legislative support for key government reforms, with part of the scheme involving cryptocurrency transactions to conceal the fund flow. The Supreme Court has upheld the accusations and the case is moving toward trial.

At the same time, UNGRD has inaugurated a new Integrated Risk Management Centre in Puerto Carreño, Vichada. The facility, costing over 4.3 billion pesos, includes a crisis room, advanced telecommunications, and solar‑powered energy backup to ensure continuity of emergency operations. The investment, part of a broader allocation of more than 16 billion pesos to the department during President Gustavo Petro’s administration, is intended to serve around 15 000 residents by improving response to forest fires, floods and other natural hazards.