Severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall and overflowing waterways in northern Colombia has affected more than 40,000 families, with flooded roadways isolating communities.
A cold front that began to impact the region on Jan. 31, 2026, triggered more than 100 emergencies across 80 municipalities. Large areas of the Córdoba department remain submerged and rising waterways — including the Sinú River — threaten additional flooding. In the hardest hit areas, families are seeking refuge in temporary shelters.
In response, Americares deployed an emergency response team to support survivors and address the most urgent health needs in Canalete, Los Córdobas and Puerto Escondido, where access to clean water is critical.
An ASPEN water purification unit will be deployed across 10 communities in Canalete, Puerto Escondido and Los Córdobas to provide an immediate source of safe drinking water for local residents. At the same time, the emergency response team is working to install a potable water distribution tank in each of these 10 communities to help ensure reliable access to clean water for more than 1,000 families, with installations already underway at several sites.
Matteo Cinquemani explains how Americares uses the ASPEN water purification system to bring clean drinking water to flood-affected communities.
In addition, the emergency response team will be distributing water purification kits to support 5,600 families for 60 days. The team is also working in coordination with local health authorities to procure and deliver 1,000 hygiene kits to help families protect their health during this difficult time.
Nicolás Cuellar from our Colombia office explains how Americares is distributing hygiene kits to flood-affected families.