Short answer. Dial 123, Colombia's national emergency line 1. UNGRD's preparedness guide also lists the police (112), Civil Defence (144), fire services (199), the Red Cross (132) and ambulance service (125) 1. UNGRD, which coordinates the national disaster risk management system, has a free line, 01-8000-113200 2.
Which numbers should I write down?
| Service | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National emergency line | 123 | 1 |
| Policía Nacional | 112 | 1 |
| Defensa Civil | 144 | 1 |
| Bomberos (fire) | 199 | 1 |
| Cruz Roja | 132 | 1 |
| Ambulance service | 125 | 1 |
| UNGRD free line | 01-8000-113200 | 2 |
| UNGRD switchboard | (+57) 601-5529696 | 2 |
Copy these numbers onto paper and keep them in your kit, next to the list of family members with their ID numbers, age and blood type that UNGRD asks for 1. See our kit page.
Which agencies handle which hazard?
- UNGRD coordinates the National Disaster Risk Management System (SNGRD) 12.
- The Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) monitors earthquakes and volcanoes.
- IDEAM monitors weather and rivers and runs the free app IDEAM en tu Mano 3.
- DIMAR assesses tsunami threats 2.
Official websites:
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD): https://portal.gestiondelriesgo.gov.co/
- Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC): https://www.sgc.gov.co
- Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM): https://www.ideam.gov.co
- Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR), tsunami threat assessment: https://www.dimar.mil.co
- Defensa Civil Colombiana: https://www.defensacivil.gov.co
- Dirección Nacional de Bomberos (DNBC): https://dnbc.gov.co
- Cruz Roja Colombiana: https://www.cruzrojacolombiana.org
How each agency issues alerts is explained on our alerts page.
What should I do before calling?
Call 123, the national emergency line 1. Agree in advance on evacuation routes and a meeting point, as UNGRD's family plan suggests 1 (emergency supplies). Our guides on the family plan and psychological first aid help prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Is 112 the general emergency number in Colombia?
UNGRD's guide lists 112 for the Policía Nacional and 123 as the national emergency line 1.
How do I reach UNGRD?
Free line 01-8000-113200, switchboard (+57) 601-5529696 2.
Where do I get weather alerts?
In IDEAM's free app IDEAM en tu Mano 3.
Sources
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) — Guía de preparativos ante sismo — https://portal.gestiondelriesgo.gov.co/Documents/Guias/Guia-sismos-digital-f%20%285%29%20%282%29.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) — No hay alerta de tsunami para la costa Pacífica colombiana — https://portal.gestiondelriesgo.gov.co/Paginas/Noticias/2026/No-hay-alerta-de-tsunami-para-la-costa-Pacifica-colombiana-121026.aspx (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM) — ABC IDEAM En Tu Mano — https://www.ideam.gov.co/sites/default/files/archivos/abc_ideam_en_tu_mano.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
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Sources
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) · Guía de preparativos ante sismo checked 2026-10-20
- Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) · No hay alerta de tsunami para la costa Pacífica colombiana checked 2026-10-20
- Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales (IDEAM) · ABC IDEAM En Tu Mano checked 2026-10-20