The 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia a week ago today, leaving at least 289 people dead and 4,187 injured so far, has sparked an outpouring of solidarity across the country.
The emergency has left dozens of families without a home, hundreds missing – particularly in the departments of Chocó and Valle del Cauca, as well as throughout the coffee region – and a state of collective mourning.
From donating supplies to raising awareness on social media, thousands of people from across the country have mobilized to help those affected by the earthquake.
Amid the widespread destruction in Pereira, neighbors have been the first to extend a helping hand to those in need. Even with their city in ruins and their hearts broken, collection centers remain full.
Alejandro Giraldo, owner of a café in hard-hit Pereira was among those who stepped up to help clear debris from the earthquake. He explained that he is also organizing efforts in Popayán to collect “construction and safety equipment, non-perishable food, and sanitary pads” to bring back to the region.
Others are focusing on collecting donations and coordinating relief efforts to address the emergency.
Maifer Lucía is a young medical student at the University of Antioquia. She is a member of Afroudea, a collective that serves as a space for resistance, mutual support, and recognition.
“If we don’t save our own people, no one else will. The people who have been affected won’t be dealing with the consequences for just one week. This is going to last for a very long time,” Maifer said.
The collective launched a collection point at the university with a focus on helping Chocó, a department that has historically been neglected by the state.
A group of social leaders and activists from the region created the initiative known as ‘SOS Chocó,’ sending two trucks and a light aircraft daily with aid like medicine, food, sanitary items, and construction supplies.
“It’s an emergency, medium, and long-term project aimed at backing this region, and we are counting on support from cities like Cali, Cartagena, and Barranquilla,” emphasized Helena Valencia, one of the organizers.
In the capital city, a government-run site in a stadium parking lot received thousands of visitors carrying donations and offering to help load, sort, and organize the aid.
According to local media, a total of 344 tons of donations have already been collected across four official collection centers in Bogotá.
Doctors, psychologists, civil engineers, and lawyers, among other professionals, have also stepped up to help, providing support from their respective fields, some of them traveling far from home to help with the emergency response.
Many have supported medical teams by donating blood, while some mothers have shown solidarity by donating breast milk.
Colombia’s National Institute of Health (INS) confirmed that all 82 blood banks across the country reached full capacity this week.
Firefighters, police officers, and other first responders have been working non-stop for days, hoping to find people alive under the rubble.
In the case of artists, a couple of benefit concerts have already been scheduled to raise funds, with Karol G as the main show in one of them.
Sport figures, such as some of Colombia’s national soccer stars like John Arias and James Rodríguez, have also contributed with initiatives aiming to help the community.
While much remains uncertain one week into the tragedy, one thing is clear: in times of tragedy, Colombians step up to help each other.
Additional reporting by Cristina Dorado Suaza.
