A moment magnitude 6.4 earthquake affected the Valle del Cauca, Choco, and Risaralda departments of Colombia on February 8, 1995, at 18:40 UTC.

4 schools and 22 community centers in the areas affected were damaged, as well as a provincial government building, colleges, police stations, and offices.

[5][6] Shortly after the earthquake, relief teams were deployed made up of Red Cross personnel, firemen, policemen, and civil defense officers.

Immediately after the initial earthquake, medical teams were sent out to aid people who were injured, with some cases having to airlift patients due to the damage.

[citation needed] Many homeless people stayed with their friends or relatives on industrialized areas or coffee farms, while others were brought to temporary shelters set up in schools or tent camps.