On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, affecting a broad region of the country. The disaster has resulted in loss of life, significant material damage, and a difficult road to recovery for many communities. As response efforts and damage assessments continue, many families are facing grief, uncertainty, and the beginning of a long recovery process.
At impactU, we received this news with deep sadness and concern for everyone affected. Colombia is at the heart of our mission: our beneficiaries live there, along with some of our volunteers and donors. It is also the country where we carry out our program. We are relieved to know that our beneficiaries, volunteers, and donors in Colombia are doing well. At the same time, we remain deeply conscious of the loss and hardship experienced by many families across the affected areas.
A Special Connection to Choco
This emergency touches us in a particularly meaningful way because the earthquake’s epicenter was in Choco. We have a close connection to the department because several of our beneficiaries come from there.
Our work focuses on supporting university students, not on emergency or disaster relief. Even so, our close ties to Colombia and Choco mean that we cannot remain indifferent to this tragedy. We extend our solidarity to those who have lost loved ones and to families and communities that have suffered damage. Our solidarity also extends to everyone taking part in search, relief, and recovery efforts.
How Can We Help?
At times like this, many people in Colombia and abroad ask how they can help. We are not a humanitarian relief organization, and we are not raising or administering funds for this emergency. Instead, we want to make it easier for those who wish to contribute to identify organizations working directly to address the consequences of the earthquake.
For Those Who Wish to Donate from the United States
Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)
Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity, has activated a response specifically for the Colombia earthquake. Its first phase focuses on distributing food, water, hygiene supplies, tents, bedding, and other essential aid. The organization also plans a second phase focused on early recovery, helping communities stabilize and begin rebuilding. Those who wish to contribute from the United States can do so through GEM’s official Colombia Earthquake campaign.
For Those Who Wish to Donate in Colombia
Presentes Corporación
Presentes Corporación has activated Colombia se levanta, a campaign to mobilize support and resources for families and communities affected by the earthquake. The campaign seeks to respond to needs identified in affected areas and accompany communities through the recovery process. Those who wish to contribute in Colombia can do so through the official Colombia se levanta campaign.
Before donating
Visit the organization’s official channels, confirm that the campaign remains active, and review how the funds are expected to be used.
These organizations are not affiliated with impactU, and their inclusion in this article does not constitute a formal endorsement by the Foundation. We are sharing them in good faith after reviewing publicly available information about their track records and the campaigns they have established specifically in response to this earthquake.
This list is not intended to be exhaustive. Many other organizations are contributing to the response, and we encourage readers to consider organizations they already know, prefer, or trust. When exploring other options, we recommend looking for organizations with a clearly identified campaign addressing this disaster and clear information about how donated resources will be used.
Supporting Recovery Beyond the Immediate Emergency
The needs created by an earthquake do not end after the first days of emergency response. Immediate assistance, including food, water, medical care, temporary shelter, and other essential resources, is critical. As the initial emergency passes, however, communities begin a recovery process that can extend for months or years.
When deciding where to contribute, we encourage readers to consider both immediate relief and medium- or long-term recovery and reconstruction programs. If this matters to you as a donor, look for initiatives that explain clearly how they will support communities after the initial emergency phase. This may include repairing or rebuilding homes and other damaged structures.
Our Solidarity with the Affected Communities
Recovery will require an enormous effort from families, communities, public authorities, humanitarian organizations, and many others involved in the process. It will also offer opportunities for people who want to help to accompany that journey, whether by responding to today’s needs or contributing to the reconstruction that will follow.
We send our solidarity to Choco and to every community affected by the earthquake. We hope that support from people in Colombia and abroad will help meet immediate needs and accompany families throughout the long road to recovery.
Meet one of our beneficiaries from Choco
Read Arcindo’s story, from his childhood in Las Animas, Choco, to his studies in Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Colombia.
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