Colombian indigenous peoples near the earthquake epicenter are requesting humanitarian aid

Bogotá/Pereira.- The indigenous peoples inhabiting the western mountain range of Colombia and the lower basin of the Baudó River, in the jungle department of Chocó, the epicenter of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook much of the country on Monday, are crying out for humanitarian aid one day after the tragedy.

“As a national indigenous organization that accompanies and represents indigenous communities in different regions of the country, especially in the department of Chocó, we make an urgent call to manage and guarantee immediate humanitarian aid for the affected communities,” says a statement from the Traditional Indigenous Authorities of Colombia.

According to this organization, aid is urgently required in the municipalities of Litoral del San Juan, on the border between the departments of Chocó and Valle del Cauca, near the port of Buenaventura.

Likewise, the Chocoan municipalities of Alto Baudó, Bajo San Juan, and San José del Palmar, where the epicenter of the powerful earthquake was located, according to the Colombian Geological Service.

Communication difficulties

In footage recorded by local residents and made known to EFE this Tuesday, the seismic waves of the earthquake can be seen shaking the ground violently, causing panic among the inhabitants of that part of the western mountain range.

According to the Traditional Indigenous Authorities of Colombia, difficulties in establishing communication persist in the area due to connectivity conditions, distances, and the geographical isolation faced by some of these communities.

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The earthquake has caused a total of nearly 240 deaths, according to the toll from various regional authorities, although the Colombian president, Abelardo de la Espriella, reported that the number of deceased is 188 so far.