Cesvi Warns 53,000 Colombians Face Heightened Child Trafficking Risk After Quake
Updated
Updated · Vatican News - English · Aug 19
Cesvi Warns 53,000 Colombians Face Heightened Child Trafficking Risk After Quake
3 articles · Updated · Vatican News - English · Aug 19
Summary
At least 53,000 people have been affected by Colombia’s August 10 earthquake, and Cesvi says the resulting chaos is raising the risk of child trafficking in hard-hit rural areas.
Nearly 300 people were killed and 4,000 injured, while family breakdown and displacement in poor regions such as Chocó and Buenaventura are leaving children more exposed to armed groups and criminal networks.
Cesvi says it is prioritizing protection centers, water and sanitation services, and psychosocial support, arguing that rapid child-focused intervention is needed before broader recovery can begin.
The NGO also warned indigenous communities could be further fractured by the disaster and said recovery will require sustained international attention beyond the immediate relief phase.