# Colombia earthquake relief efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261016-colombia-earthquake-relief-efforts
> Updated: 2026-10-16T22:12:24.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

Following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on August 10, 2026, that impacted Valle del Cauca and northern Cauca, various relief efforts have been initiated.

Gases de Occidente (GdO) announced a relief package of up to $12 billion pesos. This package includes debt forgiveness for properties in the Unified Registry of Victims, waivers for preventive inspection fees, and grace periods. During the initial emergency, GdO suspended gas service for over 50,000 users to inspect infrastructure, though only 541 users remained without service by late September. The company also provided food rations and essential supplies to medical personnel and vulnerable communities.

By mid-October, the Colombia Luz y Sonrisas Foundation, led by First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda, reported managing over $54.6 billion pesos (approximately $17 million USD) in private donations and in-kind contributions. The foundation emphasized that it has not administered any public funds, noting that 81% of these donations came from Grupo Gilinski. These funds are being held in regulated financial institutions and are reserved for a second phase of reconstruction, which includes rebuilding schools and health centers in Cali.

This disclosure follows scrutiny from political opposition and survivors regarding aid management, particularly as many families in the hardest-hit western regions still lack permanent housing. First Lady Pineda denied all allegations of mismanagement, stating, “There is nothing to hide. I don’t need to keep even a grain of anyone’s rice.”

Relief efforts transitioned from an initial phase of immediate humanitarian aid—which mobilized over 5,652 tons of supplies to assist more than 48,000 people across 80 municipalities—to a second phase focused on infrastructure reconstruction.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Colombia First Lady reports $17 million in private earthquake relief donations

Colombia's First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda released a report showing her foundation received over 54.6 billion pesos in private donations for earthquake relief, denying allegations of fund mismanagement.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-luz-y-sonrisas-foundation-reports-546-billion-in-earthquake-relief-donations

### 2026-09-29: Gases de Occidente announces $12 billion relief after earthquake

Gases de Occidente announced $12 billion pesos in relief measures and community aid following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia's Valle del Cauca and Cauca regions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gases-de-occidente-announces-12-billion-relief-after-earthquake

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Cite as: Colombia earthquake relief efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261016-colombia-earthquake-relief-efforts