After 7.4 earthquake, Elder Stevenson ministers in western Colombia and meets with mayor of Cali

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck western Colombia, prompting immediate humanitarian and diplomatic responses. According to reports from Church News and the newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Stevenson has traveled to the affected region to minister to earthquake-affected Saints. During his visit to the west of the country, Elder Stevenson met with the mayor of Cali to discuss the situation. His message to those impacted by the disaster was centered on the reassurance that they are not alone in their suffering. International organizations are currently assessing the scale of the devastation.

The United Nations Development Programme has released a RAPIDA assessment indicating that the earthquake caused an estimated USD 13.2 billion in structural damage, which equates to COP 42.1 trillion. This assessment also specifies that the disaster generated 16.9 million cubic metres of debris. These figures highlight the immense physical and financial toll the seismic event has taken on the region's infrastructure. Concurrent humanitarian efforts are focusing on the intersection of natural disaster and existing instability. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is actively assessing the needs of specific communities that were already affected by armed conflict prior to the earthquake.

Additionally, ReliefWeb has documented the ongoing response efforts being led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Colombia to address the immediate needs of the displaced or affected populations. Future developments will likely center on the long-term recovery of the structural damage and the delivery of aid to conflict-torn areas. The reports from the UNDP, ICRC, and IOM suggest a complex recovery process involving both debris removal and the navigation of armed conflict zones. Observers will be watching for further updates on the coordination between religious leaders, such as Elder Stevenson, and local government officials like the mayor of Cali as the reconstruction phase begins.