Last week, Colombia experienced its strongest earthquake in a century. More than 281 people are confirmed to have died. Search efforts are ongoing, with thousands more injured or still missing.
The Colombian President has declared a state of emergency across the country. Health facilities are overwhelmed. Affected regions are facing water and food insecurity; in some places 80% of people have lost their homes.
Thankfully, our local peacebuilding partners are all safe. They are now concentrating on providing emergency support to communities who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and that are dealing with the trauma of these events.
Please donate to the tireless work of local peacebuilders in Colombia. Your support allows us to provide direct support to communities affected by the earthquake today.
Some affected regions – like Choco – are very remote, meaning there are huge difficulties in physically reaching communities. This is also affecting how much media coverage, attention and support survivors are receiving.
While the government has been slow to respond in such areas: local peacebuilders are providing emergency support, including food, hygiene products and shelter for people whose homes have been destroyed.
They are also providing urgent mental health and trauma support for both the rescue teams and survivors of the earthquake.
Our partner, REDEPAZ, are running a ‘Brigade’ – a group of psychologists, nurses, counsellors and researchers that provide mental health support to remote and marginalised communities – those often affected by extreme levels of violence, as well as disasters like this earthquake.
You can support REDEPAZ’s earthquake relief efforts now, by donating to our Colombia appeal.
Our partners are providing lifesaving aid and mental health support to rural communities in Colombia. Please donate to our Colombia appeal to support their efforts now.
In the face of such horrific events, our partners have been working tirelessly to reach even the most remote communities across the country and began mobilising rescue, recovery and support efforts immediately. We are proud to support their lifesaving work at this critical time for Colombia.
The communities most impacted by the earthquake are already among the most disadvantaged in all of Colombia. Indigenous and Afro-descendent people live mainly in the rural areas, where armed groups have a lot more control.
This means communities who were already facing violence and instability are now even more at risk. Our partners warn us that the social and economic effects of this earthquake will likely to lead to increased recruitment of children and youth into armed groups.
You can make a difference today. Support our Colombia appeal now to protect children from a life of violence.
