The 7.4 magnitude earthquake has left hundreds of people affected and serious damage in various areas of the country. While rescue efforts continue, humanitarian organizations have activated aid channels and Spain has offered its cooperation. Here are some ways to safely collaborate from outside Colombia.
Colombia is going through one of the biggest emergencies in recent years after the 7.4 magnitude earthquake recorded on Monday, August 10. The epicenter was located in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, and the tremor was strongly felt in much of the western part of the country.
The emergency continues as rescue teams search for people among the rubble and authorities assess the damage. Official reports have been increasing over the last few hours, and more than a hundred people are already counted as deceased, hundreds injured, and numerous homes and buildings affected.
Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Armenia, Quibdó, and other localities are among the affected areas. In Cali, for example, numerous damaged buildings have been reported, and the hospital network has been put on red alert.
In the face of a tragedy that is still unfolding, the question also arises far from Colombia:
How can we help?
Donate, but do it right
In the first hours of an emergency, one of the most useful ways to collaborate is to make a financial donation to organizations with the capacity to act on the ground.
Why? Because it allows those who are working in the emergency to buy and distribute what the affected communities really need, instead of receiving products that may not be a priority or that are difficult to transport.
The Colombian Red Cross has set up a donation channel aimed at supporting essential tasks such as healthcare, access to drinking water, rescue, telecommunications, and reestablishing contact between family members.
Another option is the Food Bank of Bogotá, which has also made its donation channels available for the emergency.
For those outside Colombia, there is also the possibility of collaborating with international humanitarian organizations. World Central Kitchen, for example, is working with local teams to provide food to affected people and receives international donations.
And what about those of us in Spain?
Solidarity also crosses the Atlantic.
The Spanish government has made the cooperation of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) available to Colombia, while the Embassy and Consulate of Spain in Colombia remain mobilized to assist Spanish citizens affected by the emergency.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, reported this Tuesday that there are 164 Spanish citizens whose whereabouts have not yet been confirmed, although there are currently no reported deceased or injured Spaniards.
The situation also particularly mobilizes the Colombian community residing in Spain, for whom the earthquake has a personal dimension: family members, friends, and entire communities are waiting for news coming from Colombia.
You can also help from social media
In an emergency, sharing useful information can also be a form of solidarity.
But there is one condition: that it be verified information.
Natural disasters often quickly generate false campaigns, accounts that request money without verifying who is behind them, and messages that spread incorrect figures or data.
Before donating:
✔️ Check who is organizing the campaign.
✔️ Use the official channels of recognized organizations.
✔️ Do not share data without verification.
✔️ Avoid spreading images of victims without context or authorization.
✔️ Prioritize campaigns that clearly explain where the money will go.
Helping also means preventing an emergency from becoming fertile ground for misinformation.
Solidarity that crosses borders
A tragedy of this magnitude reminds us of something simple: borders should not mark the limits of solidarity.
Colombia has a significant resident community in Spain and thousands of family, cultural, and emotional ties with our country. For many people, what is happening today thousands of kilometers away is also happening in their own family.
That is why donating, sharing verified information, supporting those who are looking for their loved ones, or simply helping to spread official channels can make a difference.
The emergency is not over yet. After the rescue, there will be care for the injured, recovery of homes, reconstruction of communities, and a process that can last months or even years.
Colombia needs help now, but it will also need solidarity for a long time.
And from Spain, we can also be close. 🇨🇴❤️🇪🇸
