Coletivo Abrigo launches fundraising campaign to support families affected by earthquake in Colombia
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
The organization is mobilizing a solidarity network to support affected communities and strengthen local organizations and leaders working on the ground
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, killing people, destroying homes, and causing significant damage to infrastructure across several communities. With its epicenter near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, the earthquake affected hundreds of municipalities and left thousands of families in need of emergency assistance. Valle del Cauca is among the regions hardest hit by the disaster.
In response, Coletivo Abrigo has launched a fundraising campaign to support families affected by the earthquake and contribute to emergency response and recovery efforts in the impacted communities.
The campaign has a particularly direct connection to the situation in Colombia. Diana Caicedo, one of Coletivo Abrigo’s directors, is Colombian, is from Valle del Cauca, and is currently in Colombia, where she is following the impact of the disaster and the needs of affected communities firsthand.
For Coletivo Abrigo, this mobilization is also rooted in the organization’s experience during the devastating floods that hit Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2024. At the time, thousands of people came together to support affected communities, demonstrating the power of solidarity in the face of a crisis.
“We know the power of solidarity. During the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, we saw people from different places come together to support those who had lost everything. But we also know the challenges that come afterward: rebuilding communities, putting lives back together, and making sure resources reach the people who are actually on the ground.” says Tiago Santos, director of Coletivo Abrigo.
More than two years after the floods, many communities in Rio Grande do Sul are still facing significant challenges in their recovery and reconstruction. That experience taught Coletivo Abrigo that supporting communities means not only responding to an immediate emergency, but also strengthening the people, organizations, and local leaders who remain in the affected areas and continue working with communities throughout the long process of recovery.
One of the challenges faced during the response to the floods in Rio Grande do Sul was finding effective ways to ensure that resources could reach the people and organizations working on the front lines. Drawing on that experience, Coletivo Abrigo intends to serve as a bridge in Colombia—connecting people who want to help with local organizations and community leaders who understand the needs of their communities and are already working directly in the affected areas.
The situation in Colombia continues to require urgent action. The earthquake has left thousands of people without homes and caused damage to health facilities, schools, transportation infrastructure, and essential services. Communities affected by the disaster need shelter, food, water, healthcare, and other forms of assistance.
Coletivo Abrigo is inviting people in Brazil and around the world to join this solidarity network. Contributions will support affected communities, with the aim of strengthening local initiatives and the people already working on the ground.
The solidarity that crossed borders to support communities in Rio Grande do Sul can now cross borders again to support communities in Colombia.
HOW TO DONATE:
If you are living outside Brazil and would like to donate in a foreign currency, you can do so via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/BR/fundraiser/charity/5010453
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