# Risaralda earthquake reconstruction efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/risaralda-earthquake-reconstruction-efforts
> Updated: 2026-09-19T02:24:41.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 5.

Following the August 10, 2026, earthquake, the Risaralda departmental government initiated reconstruction efforts by allocating 14 billion pesos for hardware supplies through the ‘Banco de Materiales’ strategy. President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed the deployment of 191 tons of materials and heavy machinery to assist in repairing damaged homes across 14 municipalities.

To optimize recovery funds, the Risaralda Departmental Assembly approved Ordinance 022, establishing temporary exemptions from five departmental stamps for contracts and legal instruments related to earthquake recovery. These exemptions—covering stamps for sports, development, the Technological University of Pereira, elderly welfare, and university hospitals—apply specifically to contracts financed by external resources. Secretary of Finance Dora Patricia Ospina Parra clarified that this measure does not affect the department’s ordinary budget, while Director of Fiscalization Luz Andrea Henao Torres noted the move is intended to ‘incentivize donations and ensure maximum impact’ for affected areas.

Governor Juan Diego Patiño Ochoa has expanded the strategy by launching a plan involving 16 local universities to provide technical expertise for structural diagnoses and repair designs. Recent efforts have accelerated through the Unified Command Post (PMU), focusing on health, rural livelihoods, mental health, and road maintenance. Significant healthcare funding has been secured, including 10,000 million pesos for the Hospital Universitario San Jorge and 196,000 million pesos to cover health sector pension liabilities through 2032. Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo also confirmed national resources for the Regional Hospital of High Complexity (HRAC) project in Pereira.

Reconstruction efforts have expanded to include technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop a Specific Action Plan (PAE). In Dosquebradas, assessments indicate approximately 3,000 students are unable to return to school and 2,000 businesses are affected. The Chamber of Commerce of Pereira estimates that roughly 7,000 jobs are at risk during September.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: UNDP provides technical assistance for earthquake reconstruction in Risaralda

The UNDP is providing technical support to Risaralda and Dosquebradas to build a reconstruction plan following an earthquake, addressing damage to schools, businesses, and an estimated 7,000 at-risk jobs.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/undp-provides-technical-assistance-for-earthquake-reconstruction-in-risaralda

### 2026-09-14: Risaralda accelerates reconstruction efforts following earthquake

Risaralda is advancing reconstruction following the August 10 earthquake, with significant funding allocated to the Hospital Universitario San Jorge and regional healthcare infrastructure.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/risaralda-accelerates-reconstruction-efforts-following-earthquake

### 2026-09-12: Risaralda Governor launches reconstruction plan after earthquake

Risaralda Governor Juan Diego Patiño Ochoa is coordinating with 16 universities and the national government to lead reconstruction efforts following the August 10 earthquake, focusing on infrastructure and 문화.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/risaralda-governor-launches-reconstruction-plan-after-earthquake

### 2026-09-03: Risaralda approves tax exemptions for earthquake recovery

Risaralda has approved temporary tax exemptions on five departmental stamps for contracts related to earthquake reconstruction to maximize the efficiency of external recovery funds.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/risaralda-approves-tax-exemptions-for-earthquake-recovery

### 2026-08-31: Risaralda allocates 14 billion pesos for earthquake reconstruction

Risaralda has allocated 14 billion pesos for hardware supplies to aid earthquake reconstruction across 14 municipalities, supported by 191 tons of national government materials.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/risaralda-allocates-14-billion-pesos-for-earthquake-reconstruction

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Cite as: Risaralda earthquake reconstruction efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/risaralda-earthquake-reconstruction-efforts