Colombia unites in prayer for the victims of the devastating earthquake
In an emotional ceremony held in the iconic Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, hundreds of citizens gathered to pay a heartfelt tribute to the 331 people who lost their lives following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck central and southwestern Colombia on August 10th. The event, titled “Prayer for Colombia and Great Candlelight Vigil,” served as a meeting point to honor the memory of the deceased and show solidarity with the affected families.
The event was attended by President Abelardo de la Espriella and First Lady, Ana Lucía Pineda, who accompanied the attendees amidst chants and prayers. The emergency, which has left a toll of 4,449 injured and more than 406,963 affected, has mobilized the entire country in a joint recovery effort.
National and international solidarity
The first lady, Ana Lucía Pineda, took the opportunity to express her deep gratitude for the massive show of solidarity. She highlighted the importance of the humanitarian aid received, detailing the logistical efforts made to bring supplies to the hardest-hit areas:
Thanks to every donor, the volunteers, the companies, the organizations, and all the people who reached out and made it possible to reach the affected territories with gestures of love, humanitarian aid, and psychological support.
Ana Lucía Pineda, First Lady of Colombia
According to official figures, at least 640 tons of international aid have been managed, in addition to the 2,640 tons collected locally in the city of Bogotá alone.
Earthquake impact and damage assessment
The earthquake, whose epicenter was located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, has left a deep mark on the country’s infrastructure. The most recent report from the authorities details the magnitude of the tragedy:
- 16 departments and 494 municipalities affected.
- 33,395 homes totally destroyed.
- 187,839 homes with structural damage.
The hardest-hit areas include the departments of Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and Nariño. Despite logistical challenges, thousands of families continue to receive assistance as the government focuses its efforts on reconstruction work for affected homes and comprehensive care for those impacted in the most vulnerable regions of central and southwestern Colombia.
