Brazil authorized this Tuesday the donation of ten tons of rice to Colombia to assist families affected by the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the neighboring nation on August 10.
The Brazilian government published the authorization on August 18 in the Official Gazette, establishing a special legal exception. This measure allows agricultural goods acquired through the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) to be redirected for international humanitarian cooperation during emergency situations outside Brazilian borders.
RELATED: Colombia Earthquake: De La Espriella Reduces Death Toll Confirmed By Medical Examiner’s Office
The Food Acquisition Program represents a flagship public policy in Brazil, designed to purchase food directly from family farming to supply local public institutions and strengthen national food security. By modifying these regulations temporarily, the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva demonstrates active solidarity with the Colombian population experiencing severe hardship in the aftermath of the seismic movement.
According to the official communication, the National Supply Company (Conab) will manage the physical delivery and inventory transfer of the grain. Additionally, the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will coordinate the diplomatic and administrative steps required to secure a rapid transport route into Colombian territory.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Una publicación compartida de Grupo Metropole (@grupo.metropole)
Joint Relief Efforts
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake caused widespread damage across several Colombian departments, destroying vital infrastructure and leaving thousands of families without stable shelter. Recent heavy rains in the Andean nation have further complicated search, rescue, and recovery operations, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
This cooperative action joins an international relief effort deployed to mitigate the severe social and material losses across Colombia.
Local emergency services in Colombia continue working under extreme conditions to clear roadways blocked by landslides and debris. The addition of Brazilian food aid will alleviate pressure on local supply chains and guarantee that temporary shelters receive necessary nutritional support during the initial phase of reconstruction and displacement management.
Recebi com preocupação a notícia do forte terremoto que atingiu hoje a Colômbia, com epicentro no departamento de Chocó. Em nome do povo brasileiro, manifesto minha solidariedade ao povo colombiano, especialmente às famílias das vítimas e a todos os afetados pelos tremores. O…
— Lula (@LulaOficial) August 10, 2026
Furthermore, the Brazilian diplomatic mission in Bogota confirmed that technical teams from both nations are in constant contact to evaluate if further specialized assistance, such as medical supplies or logistical experts, will be required in the coming weeks to guarantee a comprehensive recovery for the affected Colombian departments.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.