Updated August 18, 2026 at 9:52 a.m. Colombia time
The World Food Programme announced on August 18 that it is scaling up its response. Its initial $23 million appeal aims to fund emergency food assistance for 100,000 people over three months.
More than 2,000 people assisted Sunday
WFP says more than 2,000 people received food assistance in Pereira and Quibdó on Sunday, August 16 alone.
Two approaches depending on markets
In-kind food is prioritised in remote communities where markets are not functioning and access remains difficult. Cash assistance may expand in urban centres in Valle del Cauca and Risaralda as markets and services recover.
Regional logistics
Operations draw on Cali, Quibdó and Medellín. Four mobile storage units are on standby and supplies can be deployed from WFP’s humanitarian depot in Panama.
Vulnerability predating the earthquake
WFP notes that nearly seven million people already faced moderate or severe food insecurity before the earthquake. In Chocó and Valle del Cauca it affected nearly one third of the population; that context is not a toll caused by the earthquake.