Two months after the earthquake, Cali is advancing into the stabilization phase, looking ahead to four years of intersectoral coordination and support for those affected.

• Companies, trade associations, and the Mayor's Office are working on the recovery of affected businesses, while support for the families impacted by the disaster continues.
• Relief agencies highlighted the coordination that enabled the deployment of search teams and emphasized the importance of strengthening community preparedness.

Two months after the earthquake on August 10, Cali is making progress in stabilizing the affected areas and recovering its economic and social activities. During a discussion titled "Two Months After the Earthquake: The State of Stabilization in Cali," held at the Dann Carlton Hotel, representatives from the business sector, industry associations, and emergency response agencies took stock of the city’s emergency response efforts.

Participants emphasized the importance of having a municipal administration that was both committed and diligent in coordinating with the private sector and the public; however, they also noted that the recovery process requires continued and strengthened collaboration.

In a panel discussion themed Industry Associations and Businesses United for Cali, participants highlighted the coordinated actions taken to assist affected families, assess buildings, and support impacted commercial establishments. María del Mar Palau, Executive Director of the Cali Chamber of Commerce, underscored the collaboration with the District Administration to identify affected business entities and implement mechanisms for economic reactivation.

"The most important thing is that we joined forces with the Mayor’s Office from the very beginning to establish a recovery fund. This fund is now reaching the businesses most severely impacted by the earthquake, enabling them to begin their productive recovery," Palau noted.

The Chamber of Commerce director specified that the fund, totaling 16.3 billion pesos, is designed to support affected business entities through seed capital in kind. These initiatives aim to contribute to the recovery of these businesses and ensure the continuity of their operations.

Representing the business sector, Alejandro Galvis, Director of Rappi Colombia, explained that the company identified restaurants affected by the earthquake and collaborated with the Mayor's Office and the Chamber of Commerce to establish support measures. According to the figures presented during the discussion, 210 restaurants in Cali were affected; of these, 15 were operating with their kitchens closed, and 27 had not yet reopened.

Galvis also announced a partnership with the District Administration utilizing Rappi’s services: “Cards will be launched allowing families listed in the disaster victim registry (RUD) to purchase groceries including their monthly supplies using the card, which greatly simplifies logistics. It also offers a different kind of experience for the affected families. These cards are ready for use. We are committed to ensuring these transactions incur zero delivery fees, thereby reducing friction for users; furthermore, both restaurants and customers will receive 10% cashback on future purchases, providing an additional benefit for families in the RUD.”

Meanwhile, María Isabel Ulloa, Director of Propacífico, highlighted the private sector's role in the recovery process, noting that companies from the Valle del Cauca region have channeled over $220 billion through the organization for reconstruction efforts over the next four years.

“Working together is how we overcome the most complex situations. Everyone regardless of origin or background stepped up. Without a doubt, the Administration, the Mayor's Office of Cali, and public officials have been there, dedicating all their effort and hard work, day and night, to make this a reality,” Ulloa concluded.

Rescue operations and response methods were also key topics of the discussion. Representatives from the Red Cross, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the Cali Volunteer Fire Department, and risk management experts participated in the panel on achievements and lessons learned regarding the emergency response.

Captain Francisco Javier Díaz, commander of the Cali Volunteer Fire Department, highlighted that coordination with the Risk Management Secretariat and the Mayor's Office from the very first hours made it possible to secure support from specialized search and rescue teams and to successfully rescue survivors during the initial days.

As a key lesson learned, Díaz pointed out the need to actively involve the community: “We need to involve the community in all these processes, because we realized that while the community is an invaluable source of support during such events, they were not prepared to assist or cope with these types of situations.”

Similarly, Michel Alejandro Lotero a member of the UNGRD and coordinator of search and rescue operations in the Cali area during the emergency explained that the deployment of nine specialized teams to support operations in the city was coordinated from Bogotá. Their transport was made possible through the coordinated use of aircraft from the Colombian Aerospace Force, the Metropolitan Police, the Army, and other entities that facilitated the movement of personnel, equipment, and search dogs.

Two months after the earthquake, assessments presented during the discussion indicate that stabilizing Cali requires not only continuing to assist affected families but also reviving economic activity and strengthening institutional and community capacities. Looking ahead to the next four years, the challenge lies in sustaining the cooperation that enabled the crisis response and transforming it into a foundation for the city’s recovery and preparedness for future risks.

"Cali Somos Todos" (Cali Is All of Us) working together for the city’s recovery, in every one of its phases.