A powerful earthquake struck western Colombia approximately one week ago, devastating three major population centers and leaving extensive destruction, numerous casualties, and many injured in its wake.
Following the recent restoration of diplomatic relations with Colombia under its new president, Israel dispatched a substantial rescue mission to assist the stricken nation.
The Israeli delegation is operating in Cali, Colombia's third-largest city with a population exceeding 2 million residents, which sustained multiple zones of severe damage.
The IDF Home Front Command team representing Israel is the largest international aid mission deployed to Colombia in response to the disaster. The Israeli contingent arrived 96 hours after the earthquake struck.
Israeli rescue specialists are currently active at three of the five most severely damaged sites in Cali.
Approximately three weeks ago, the same Israeli delegation returned from Venezuela, where they responded to another major earthquake. The extensive experience gained during the Venezuela operation is now proving valuable in the current search and rescue efforts.
On the ground, Israeli forces are working in close coordination with local municipal authorities and Colombian government ministers. The Colombian government has expressed its gratitude to Israel for its significant contribution and the substantial assistance being provided.
