Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said immediately following the earthquake that Europe stands in solidarity with the people of Colombia “during these difficult times.”
“Our thoughts are with the people of Colombia following the devastating earthquake that has struck the country. We stand in solidarity with all those affected and extend our deepest condolences to the families mourning the loss of their loved ones. Europe stands in solidarity with Colombia during these difficult times,” the President of the European Parliament wrote in a post on X.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already announced concrete figures:
“The European Union is providing €2 million to Colombia to support the worst-affected areas in the aftermath of Sunday’s devastating and deadly earthquake,” the Commission President wrote in an online post. “As search and rescue operations continue, the EU is supporting Colombia in every way possible,” she added.
Colombia activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake, which was the most devastating earthquake in the country’s history, killing more than 220 people and injuring hundreds more.
Among the hardest-hit cities are Cali, Pereira, Manizales and Quibdó. Rescue teams are now racing against time to pull survivors from the rubble.
Von der Leyen previously announced that the EU had activated its Copernicus satellite service, the EU’s Earth observation system, to support the rescue operations.
