Rescue, reconnect and help: solidarity in the hardest hours

The first lines of hope

People already on site often take the first actions. Specialised teams then use strict methods: securing, listening, canine search, shoring and extraction. Silence around rubble is a working tool, not a symbol.

Anxiety for families and the diaspora

When networks fail, the absence of news adds suffering. Lists of people received or found should be dated and verified before sharing so they do not deepen confusion.

Help without obstructing rescuers

Use identified organisations and appeals, do not enter a site unless requested and do not share false alerts. Useful assistance will continue through shelter, mental health, schooling, employment and reconstruction.

International offers at different stages

At 11:42:03 a.m., EL PAÍS reported that Mexico had prepared the “Agrupamiento Cali”: 255 military personnel including medical, search-and-rescue and canine teams, with 4 tonnes of medicines, 8,798 food packages, 13,890 baskets and 8.5 tonnes of tools. The operation was still awaiting a formal Colombian request or clearance.

At 11:57 a.m., IDB President Ilan Goldfajn announced up to $300 million in contingent emergency financing and $500,000 in non-reimbursable resources for humanitarian aid and damage assessment. These are announced resources, not funds already disbursed.

At 1:09 p.m., Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced in his original post 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid on two cargo aircraft, after Colombia requested supplies rather than personnel. The first departure was planned for the night of August 11 and the second for August 12; at the 4:17 p.m. cutoff, no takeoff or arrival had been confirmed by a primary source.

The UN supports needs assessment

UN News lists safe water, hygiene, household items, medical care and food among the urgent needs. The country team is mobilized and PAHO deployed teams to Cali and Chocó to support health-needs assessment and coordination.

These deployments document mobilization and assessment work; they do not by themselves show that all required supplies have already been distributed.

A survivor rescued in Cali

At 12:46 p.m., the Mayor’s Office of Cali confirmed that a woman named Diana had been brought out alive from the rubble and given priority care. The post does not establish the actual extraction time.

At 1:12 p.m., the mayor’s office identified her as Diana Troncoso and said she was receiving medical care. No diagnosis or prognosis was published. Both confirmations fall within the same 1:00 p.m. displayed timeline slot.

Cali stops accepting medicine donations

At 3:10 p.m., Cali Health Undersecretary Carlos Eduardo Pinzón thanked donors and announced that the city’s collection centres would no longer accept medicines from that point. The instruction applies only to medicines and Cali collection points; it does not extend to other donations or other cities.

Ecuador’s offer remains an offer

On August 10 at 10:35 a.m., Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa offered 47 USAR rescuers, specialist dogs and equipment with seven days of autonomy, ready to act if Colombia requested them.

On August 11 at 3:57 p.m., President Abelardo de la Espriella thanked Ecuador for making that capacity available. The message confirms neither a formal activation request nor the team’s departure or arrival.

Humanitarian aid received at Buenaventura airport

At 5:08:53 p.m., Aerocivil announced that Gerardo Tovar López Airport in Buenaventura was receiving humanitarian aid intended for communities affected by the earthquake.

The official post does not specify the origin, volume or exact recipient of the shipments. It confirms receipt at the airport, not complete distribution on the ground.

Cali asks volunteers to stay away from collapsed sites

At 12:29 a.m. on August 12, Cali’s mayor’s office relayed a call from the Cali Volunteer Firefighters asking spontaneous volunteers not to approach collapsed sites.

The post says the sites concerned have enough specialist personnel to continue operations without outside disruption. This local instruction does not cover every form of volunteering or every earthquake-affected area.

Silence and space requested around seven search points

Mayor Alejandro Eder described the next twenty hours as particularly critical for finding and rescuing survivors. He asked volunteers around seven search points to remain quiet, follow instructions and clear areas when teams request it, so acoustic equipment, vibration sensors and dogs can work. This operational statement does not guarantee that anyone will be found alive.

Petronio Solidario raises 1.191 billion pesos

At 3:02 p.m., Mayor Alejandro Eder announced that the first day of Petronio Solidario had raised 1.191 billion Colombian pesos and that the drive was continuing. The post does not specify the allocation or actual use of the sum.

More than 90 tonnes, according to the president

At 7:54 p.m., the president said the first lady had coordinated and delivered more than 90 tonnes of aid across the country. The post gives no included shipments, destinations or beneficiaries. The figure therefore cannot be added to foreign deliveries that may already be included.

USAR leaders assess operations

UNGRD says leaders of USAR teams from Colombia, the United States, Israel and Guayaquil met to assess progress in search-and-rescue operations. Coordination is taking place with UNGRD and the SNGRD.

The meeting documents an operational coordination point. It is neither an announcement of another team arrival nor confirmation of an additional rescue.

Fourteen and a half tonnes of aid arrive in Buenaventura

At 6:06 p.m., DIMAR confirms the arrival in Buenaventura of 14.7 tonnes of humanitarian aid collected by its staff in Bogotá.

The post establishes the shipment’s arrival but does not itemise its contents or confirm delivery to communities. Arrival and distribution remain separate stages.