Earthquake in Colombia: donations collected by the Andi in Cartagena exceed $50.000 million for victims

Donations collected by Colombia's Andi in Cartagena for earthquake victims have surpassed $50 billion, according to figures presented during the 11th Colombian Business Congress organized by the Andi. The initiative, known as the Corporate Solidarity Day for Colombia, has brought together more than 500 companies to address the urgent needs of families affected by the earthquake and support recovery efforts in impacted regions. Contributions include money, materials, supplies, and logistical capabilities offered by firms across various sectors. The Andi has coordinated the mobilization of these resources based on requests received from affected areas. Bruce Mac Master, president of the Andi, stated during the event that this demonstrates how the business community responds and mobilizes when Colombia faces difficult times. He called for maintaining the campaign and converting donations into solutions for communities that lost homes, property, and means of subsistence. Christian Daes, a businessman from Barranquilla, announced that his company, Tecnoglass, will contribute $6 billion to support families affected in Chocó, Manizales, Pereira, and Cali. This includes $5 billion in windows and $1 billion in cash aimed at repairing homes and replacing goods damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Daes expressed solidarity with compatriots who have suffered the loss of loved ones, stating that the contribution aims to alleviate their pain and aid in the recovery of their lost or damaged possessions. In parallel, the City Council of Barranquilla has launched its own campaign, with Mayor Alejandro Char reporting that the District Collection Center has received 180 tons of donated aid from citizens, companies, and organizations. From the center located at carrera 43 #6-120 in Barranquillita, six trucks carrying food, supplies, and protective equipment for rescuers have been dispatched. The city also secured 10,000 gallons of gasoline to support operations in Pereira, Cali, Chocó, and Manizales. Triple A contributed one million bottles of water, equivalent to 300,000 liters. The collection center remains open 24 hours a day to receive non-perishable food, drinking water, medicines, personal hygiene items, clothing, blankets, and sleeping mats. Several artists have taken decisive actions following the earthquake, prioritizing the well-being of affected individuals and families. Feid and Ryan Castro, prominent urban music artists, postponed their upcoming concerts as acts of solidarity. Ryan Castro announced via his official Instagram account that his concert scheduled for August 22 in Cali would be postponed. His team explained that the decision was made in response to the situation facing Colombia and the desire to support those experiencing difficult times. They emphasized that now is not a time for celebration but for unity, support, and collective effort to lift the country up. When the time comes to reunite, they hope to do so under conditions of safety and tranquility, ensuring an unforgettable experience for everyone. Feid similarly postponed his concert planned for August 21 in Medellín as part of the Fairtrade Show. Through a video posted on social media, he thanked his followers for donations, support, and information dissemination related to the emergency affecting Colombia. He stated that it is not the moment to talk about albums, music, or anything unrelated to helping Colombia and uniting everyone to assist as many people as possible. He confirmed that his event would be postponed and clarified that his focus is currently on contributing to relief efforts for the affected population. He invited his followers to participate in donation activities taking place over the weekend in Miami, aimed at supporting both Colombia and Venezuela. Óskar Ortiz, a journalist from Bogotá, shared the devastating impact of the earthquake on his life after his apartment collapsed in Dosquebradas, part of the Coffee Axis region. Ortiz, who had recently paid off his mortgage and moved to remote work, described losing not just his home but 41 years of accumulated memories and belongings. He recounted the terrifying moments when the building collapsed, leaving him and his wife with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Friends created a fundraising page in his name, which has received support from family members in Pereira and Manizales to provide shelter and food. Ortiz expressed concern over reports of individuals attempting to loot debris in affected areas, emphasizing the loss of personal documents as a particular worry. The earthquake highlighted the vulnerability of many constructions in Colombia, with many not designed according to the National Structural Regulation (NSR-10). Ortiz’s experience underscores the broader issue of inadequate infrastructure resilience against seismic events. The incident has prompted discussions about the need for stricter building codes and improved disaster preparedness measures across the country.