Updated August 15, 2026 at 3:50 p.m. Colombia time
Hospital ship Benkos Biohó began operations in Buenaventura on August 15, according to DIMAR. The mission is intended to supplement the health response for earthquake-affected communities on the Pacific coast.
Start of operations confirmed
At 3:35 p.m., DIMAR announced that the ship had begun operations. It says it is contributing to the safety and logistics of the maritime mission.
The SEMAP dock mobilised
The previous day, DIMAR had announced that it was making the SEMAP dock available to the hospital ship. The infrastructure is intended to facilitate docking and organise access to the health operation.
Local coordination
The operation involves the mayor’s office and district health secretariat, Luis Ablanque de la Plata Hospital and DIMAR. Announced services include health sessions, medical assessments and other care.
Procedures still to be confirmed
On August 14, the opening of an operating room and four procedures were announced as planned. The mission’s start does not itself confirm that those operations have taken place; a patient count is still awaited.