CALI, COLUMBIA (VINnews) — The Israel Defense Forces’ “Alliance of Brothers” humanitarian delegation is transitioning to the recovery phase of operations following a major earthquake in Colombia, officials said Tuesday.

Personnel from the Israeli team, working alongside local and international search-and-rescue crews, have continued operations at several major disaster sites in Cali. To date, the personnel have contributed to locating and rescuing 17 missing persons and remain engaged in efforts to find others.

“We are bringing extensive experience, knowledge, advanced search and rescue capabilities, and offering technologies and tools that will help the local authorities manage the response, both in the life-saving effort and in the next phase of recovery,” the IDF said in a statement.

Approximately one week after the quake and following a declaration by the Colombian government, the mission is moving into recovery. Alongside continued searches for the missing, teams will expand efforts to map and assess damaged structures.

The joint delegation, drawn from the IDF Home Front Command along with the Defense Ministry and Foreign Ministry, deployed to assist after the powerful earthquake struck western Colombia.