A triple crisis: Earthquake takes a heavy toll on Colombia’s impoverished and neglected region

An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck western Colombia, causing widespread devastation in the impoverished region of Choco. The quake's epicenter was Choco, where 66-year-old math teacher Ismael Arias narrowly escaped death by leaving his home early. The quake claimed at least 312 lives and destroyed 29,000 homes, according to official figures.

Recovery efforts will be particularly difficult for Choco, which already faces significant challenges. The region has high poverty rates, inadequate infrastructure, and underfunded health and education services. The United Nations reports that 69,000 people, or about 10% of Choco's population, were affected or displaced by the disaster.

Over 200 schools sustained damage, and poor internet access will hinder children's ability to engage in online learning. With a population of 600,000, mostly comprising Afro-Colombian or Indigenous people, Choco has been one of Colombia's most neglected regions. The area's rugged terrain, characterized by mountains and rainforests, is traversed by only two fragile roads, leaving most towns accessible only by plane or boat.

Many rivers pose navigational hazards, and the lack of roads connecting the coastal communities to the interior complicates rescue and relief efforts. Rebel groups often control the illegal mining and drug trafficking routes, displacing civilians or imposing lockdowns that prevent villagers from tending to their crops for extended periods.