Colombia earthquake toll rises to 329 as recovery begins

Colombia is transitioning from emergency response to reconstruction after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake of August 10, which has killed at least 329 people and left 247 missing, according to the latest UNGRD balance Source: eldiado. The quake, the strongest in a quarter century, affected 481 municipalities across 16 departments, damaging over 171,000 homes and destroying more than 31,000 Source: eldiado. In Cali, the hardest-hit city, the search-and-rescue phase has ended, and authorities have removed 39,650 tons of debris Source: hoydo. Mayor Alejandro Eder estimates reconstruction will cost around 10 trillion pesos (about $3.2 billion) Source: hoydo.

National unity

First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda and Vice President José Manuel Restrepo have separately called for a National Day of Prayer on August 28 at Bogotá's Plaza de Bolívar, urging Colombians to unite across faiths Source: infobae, diariolibree. However, a column in La Silla Vacía raises concerns about the first lady's foundation, Colombia Luz y Sonrisas, created days before her husband took office, being used to channel donations, questioning transparency Source: lasillavacia.

Recovery efforts

Rental subsidies for displaced families in Cali will begin next week, after bureaucratic delays were resolved Source: portafolioco. Cine Colombia has reopened only one of nine damaged multiplexes, keeping eight closed pending safety evaluations Source: portafolioco. The earthquake also exposed remains in cemeteries, including in Roldanillo, where the UBPD is investigating possible victims of the armed conflict Source: emolcl. Animal welfare centers are caring for 70 rescued pets, with 111 reunited with owners Source: eltiempoco.

Education concerns

A La Silla Vacía opinion piece criticizes the education minister for prioritizing discussions on "gender ideology" while 3,483 schools need reconstruction, calling it "dissonant" with urgent needs Source: lasillavacia.