Colombia earthquake: UN ramps up aid for 100,000 people

The UN is scaling up humanitarian assistance in western Colombia as needs continue to grow following last week’s devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake, according to the latest update released on Tuesday.Key pointsUN agencies unroll plans to serve more than 100,000 people in needThe earthquake has affected 15 departments and 472 municipalitiesAs of 17 August, 304 deaths, 4,400 injuries and 426 missing people had been reported, with more than 26,500 homes destroyedMore than 75,000 students no longer have safe access to their schools with 1,631 educational institutions damaged and 263 either partially or completely collapsed, or deemed at imminent riskMore than 186,000 people have been affected, according to a report by the UN humanitarian aid agency, OCHA.The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking $23 million to provide food assistance to 100,000 people over the next three months.More than 2,000 people received food assistance in Pereira and Quibdó on Sunday alone. WFP plans to expand operations this week using food stocks and its network of field offices and logistics hubs in Cali, Quibdó and Medellín.Assistance needed for monthsWFP said the immediate outpouring of solidarity from com...