The August earthquake damaged 40 heritage sites located in seven departments.

On Monday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved US$60,000 in financial assistance to support the recovery of Colombian cultural heritage affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on August 10.

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Minister of Culture Paola Holguin explained that the funds come from the Emergency Fund for Heritage and will be used for protection and safeguarding measures.

The earthquake, whose epicenter was in San Jose del Palmar, in the department of Choco, has been classified as the strongest recorded in Colombia so far this century. According to official figures, the earthquake left 335 dead, 4,516 injured, 6,047 buildings damaged, and 758 collapsed structures.

The Ministry of Culture identified damage to 40 cultural heritage sites located in seven departments. Among the most affected buildings is the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manizales, where one of its towers was left leaning over the central nave after the earthquake.

After the earthquake that hit Colombia on 10 August, the 🇪🇺 continues to help affected communities.

Two EU-funded flights landed in Bogotá, delivering over 20 tonnes of essential shelter supplies.

🇨🇴 A todos los colombianos afectados: no están solos. Europa está con ustedes. pic.twitter.com/rWKQP9Fzez

— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) October 5, 2026

Minister Holguin highlighted that the approval of international aid was the result of coordination between the Ministry of Culture, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UNESCO.

As part of the process, Enrique Lopez Hurtado, a specialist from the UNESCO Regional Office, is conducting a technical mission in Bogota to identify the priority needs for heritage recovery.

The funds will be disbursed between October and December, with actions focused on damage assessment, emergency protection, and the conservation of cultural assets affected by the earthquake.

#Colombia | Santa Marta was militarized following an escalation of terrorist activity and an armed strike.#AbelardoDeLaEspriella #SantaMarta #Terrorism #teleSUREnglish pic.twitter.com/7Ssvo0mprk

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 24, 2026

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Source: EFE

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