7.4 Earthquake: How to Contact Your Family in Colombia?

The recent magnitude 7.4 earthquake that shook central and western Colombia on Monday, August 10 has triggered an international emergency response. With dozens of deaths and collapsed buildings in cities such as Pereira, Manizales, and Cali, thousands of Latinos in the United States are seeking to communicate with their loved ones to learn of their status.

In disaster situations, telephone networks often become saturated, which increases the anguish of families separated by distance. Therefore, it is vital to use consular and diplomatic channels that can facilitate locating people and provide official institutional support.

If you live in the United States and cannot establish contact with family members in the affected areas, the Colombian government and the U.S. State Department maintain various communication channels that are available.

Who to Call from the United States?

For Colombian citizens residing in the United States, Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a free national hotline that operates 24 hours: 1-888-764-3326. This number centralizes assistance from all Colombian consulates in the country and can provide guidance for contacting risk management authorities in Colombia.

If you hold U.S. citizenship and need to contact a U.S. citizen who is in Colombia, you should contact the State Department’s Office of Consular Affairs in Washington directly by dialing 1-888-407-4747. If you are calling from outside the U.S. and Canada, the available number is +1-202-501-4444.

Additionally, if you have American family members or friends residing in the affected area, remind them to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). «U.S. citizens in Colombia should register at STEP.State.gov and follow @USEmbassyBogota social media accounts to get the latest information,» State Secretary Marco Rubio said in an X message following the earthquake.