Emergency Earthquake Relief: The Work Continues

Earthquake Relief Update: Helping Families Return Home

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On August 10, 2026, at 7:34 a.m., a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. Its force was felt across much of the country, with devastating consequences throughout western and central Colombia.

As the days have passed and communities have been able to assess the destruction, the true scale of the tragedy has become increasingly clear. More than 260,000 people in 471 municipalities across 15 departments have been affected. At least 314 people have lost their lives, hundreds remain missing, and more than 30,000 homes have been completely destroyed, with many thousands more severely damaged.

Behind these numbers are families who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods, and the basic security of knowing where they will sleep tomorrow.

In response, OIOC, Shanayoy, and the Church of the Sacred Nature (CSN) have joined efforts to mobilize resources through our extended community.

Our first response has provided immediate assistance to families, displaced animals, and temporary shelters. As the emergency continues, we are now focusing part of our efforts on Emberá Chamí Indigenous communities in Risaralda, including families in and around Marsella and Belén de Umbría, where damaged and lost roofs are preventing many people from safely returning home.

What began as an immediate response to tragedy is becoming a collective effort of reciprocity.

We are mobilizing resources for emergency supplies and roofing materials while working with trusted people and organizations on the ground to help affected families access longer-term governmental and humanitarian support.

In moments such as this, we are reminded that a disaster may have an epicenter, but compassion does not.

Some of you may have received our first message through the CSN community this week. We are deeply grateful for the way our different communities have come together, and today we want to share an update on what your support has already made possible—and where help is still urgently needed.

Today, our community has raised $1,264 USD for earthquake relief. Thanks to this immediate generosity, the funds have already been put to work where they were most urgently needed.

So far, your support has helped us:

• Provide emergency assistance to a local dog rescue shelter that was severely affected by the earthquake, helping them continue caring for displaced and vulnerable animals.

• Purchase and distribute 15 grocery packages with essential food and household supplies for families affected by the disaster.

• Purchase 10 sleeping mats for a temporary shelter where families, including children, were sleeping after being displaced from their homes. Heavy rain had entered the shelter, making the conditions even more difficult and creating an urgent need for dry sleeping materials.

Thank you. Your support is already reaching people on the ground

The Need Is Changing

As the days pass, we are understanding more clearly the scale of the earthquake's impact.

Many families remain displaced. Some have lost their homes entirely, while others—in the city and within the Emberá Chamí communities in Marsella and Belén de Umbría, Risaralda—still have structures they may be able to return to, but have lost or severely damaged roofs.

This creates a very practical next step.

If we can help provide roofing materials, some families may be able to return home instead of continuing to sleep in shelters or tents.

For this reason, we are continuing the fundraising effort through our extended OIOC, Shanayoy, and CSN community, with the next funds focused primarily on roofing and essential housing materials.

The earthquake happened in one part of Colombia, but its consequences have been felt far beyond its epicenter. The pain has traveled—but so has compassion.

To everyone who has donated, shared the campaign, sent prayers, and offered resources: Muchas Gracias, Aslepay.

We will continue sharing updates and documenting how the funds are used so that our community can see where the support is going.

Help a Family Return Home

Every contribution, large or small, will help us move toward purchasing roofing and essential materials for affected families.

Donate here: https://donorbox.org/emergency-earthquake-relief

If financial support isn't possible right now, sharing this message with someone who may be able to help is equally meaningful.

Please continue holding the affected families, elders, children, animals, and communities in your prayers—and remember to care gently for yourselves during moments of collective uncertainty.

With gratitude,

Erika Salazar

on behalf of the extended OIOC · Shanayoy · CSN community

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