Colombia continues earthquake recovery; minor quake rattles Lake Tahoe area in the US
Recovery efforts continue in Colombia following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in August, supported by South Korea and IOM, while a minor earthquake of roughly magnitude 3.7 struck near Lake Tahoe, California, on October 2.
Colombia earthquake recovery
On 10 August, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the agency, with support from the Republic of Korea, is expanding assistance to affected communities. South Korea has provided IOM with USD 1 million, which over six months will help an estimated 3,800 people. More than 400 households will receive cash assistance for food, medicine, health services, water and shelter, while three damaged community facilities — potentially including health, education or water and sanitation infrastructure — will be assessed and rehabilitated, benefiting around 2,100 people. Activities are focused on Cali and Buenaventura (Valle del Cauca department) and Pereira (Risaralda department), among the hardest-hit areas. The program also supports 350 small business owners with vocational training and employment assistance, alongside mental health and psychosocial support for affected people. On 27 August, the Korean ambassador to Colombia visited IOM's Bogotá office to discuss further cooperation, building on a six-year partnership supporting migrants and displaced people.
Protection risks in Buenaventura
According to a ReliefWeb assessment conducted between 26 August and 3 September, the earthquake worsened pre-existing protection risks in Buenaventura, including housing and shelter concerns, issues around documentation and land tenure, risks of recruitment and use of children and adolescents, exploitation and gender-based violence, exclusion from aid, threats to community leaders, and mental health and psychosocial support needs.
Minor earthquake near Lake Tahoe, US
In a separate event, a minor earthquake struck near South Lake Tahoe, California, in the early hours of 2 October, around 3 a.m. Sources differ slightly on its magnitude: the US Geological Survey (USGS) and FOX Weather report 3.7, South Tahoe Now cites USGS data of 3.71, while the University of Nevada, Reno seismological lab calculated 3.60. Depth figures also vary — FOX Weather reports around 4 miles (6 km), while South Tahoe Now cites 7 km. The epicenter was near Stanford Camp on the west side of Fallen Leaf Lake, about 10 miles from South Lake Tahoe. Residents took to social media reporting they were jolted awake; tremors may have also been felt in Reno and Carson City, Nevada. No damage or injuries have been reported so far.
