These are the houses that are looking to give a home back to the coffee families affected by the earthquake

In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Colombia with a magnitude of 7.4 on August 10, 2026, efforts have been underway to provide immediate relief and long-term reconstruction solutions for affected communities. Among these initiatives, Grupo Argos and the National Federation of Coffee Growers (Federación Nacional de Cafeteros) have unveiled two models of rapid, earthquake-resistant housing aimed at restoring homes to families impacted by the disaster. The project forms part of the "Adopta un Hogar" campaign, launched in collaboration with singer Nicky Jam. This initiative has already secured initial funding of 13 billion Colombian pesos, with plans to raise up to 26 billion pesos through additional contributions. The first phase of the program will focus on rural areas in Caldas and southwest Antioquia, working alongside public and private entities responding to the emergency. The proposed housing designs are tailored to meet the specific needs of coffee-growing families. The first model covers 43 square meters and includes two bedrooms, while the second model expands to 59 square meters with three bedrooms. Both structures feature reinforced slabs designed to withstand seismic activity. According to Grupo Argos, these models represent just the beginning of a broader strategy to address the diverse requirements of affected households. The company is currently developing new typologies that consider regional climate, cultural, and particular conditions. The Federal Coffee Growers’ Association has conducted an initial assessment of damage caused by the earthquake, contacting over 10,460 coffee growers across several regions, including Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindío, Antioquia, and Chocó. Of these, 8,070 reported damage to their homes, with 709 experiencing complete destruction and 6,902 suffering partial damage. Structural assessments are still ongoing for another 459 cases. Beyond residential damage, the association noted that 4,713 beneficiaries had suffered infrastructure losses critical to coffee processing. To better understand the extent of the damage, the organization deployed around 400 agricultural engineers to collect data in priority zones. The reconstruction effort is being led by Jaime Andrés Uribe, an Antioquian businessman appointed as manager of the "Milagro Fund," responsible for overseeing the allocation of resources for rebuilding efforts. Previously named president of ProColombia, a government entity focused on promoting foreign investment, Uribe’s appointment was confirmed by Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara, who described it as "fantastic." With more than 25 years of experience in industry, commerce, consumer goods, and manufacturing sectors, Uribe has played key roles in establishing companies such as Parce Rum, a premium rum brand produced in Quindío and exported internationally, and Silicaucho S.A., which specializes in rubber and silicone products for automotive and construction industries. The "Milagro Fund" draws inspiration from the Forec model used after the 1999 earthquake in the Coffee Axis region. Despite receiving donations exceeding 1.6 trillion pesos from national businesses and international partners, officials estimate that less than 10 percent of the required funds have been gathered so far. The management of incoming resources requires a centralized authority, prompting the selection of Uribe for his extensive business and administrative expertise. Efforts to distribute aid continue, with reports indicating that 640 tons of humanitarian assistance have been delivered to affected areas. However, there is no publicly available application process yet for individuals seeking housing under the "Adopta un Hogar" initiative. Selection criteria remain tied to the characterization process of affected families and coordination with participating institutions. As the reconstruction phase progresses, the focus remains on ensuring safe living conditions and restoring economic stability for coffee-producing families, enabling them to resume their productive activities.