Tres semanas después del terremoto, Cali entra en una nueva fase de la emergencia: este es el balance

José Fernando Patiño, who lost his father in the earthquake, had an unexpected encounter with Alejandro Eder, the mayor of Cali, expressing gratitude for the support provided during the crisis. The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia left devastating consequences in several areas of the country. The emergency not only caused significant material losses but also affected numerous families who faced the loss or disappearance of relatives and pets. During the recovery efforts, stories emerged on social media reflecting the human impact of the tragedy. Among them was the story of journalist and former presenter of Noticias Caracol, José Fernando Patiño, who endured hours of anguish after the incident involving his father, Darío Patiño Rivera. The elderly man, aged 78, was buried under the rubble of the building he lived in in Cali following the seismic activity. Amid the emergency, José Fernando managed to establish communication with him by phone and quickly embarked on a journey to the capital of the Valley region to learn more about the situation and follow the rescue efforts closely. Upon arriving in the city, the journalist encountered a scene marked by destruction and uncertainty. For several days, his family remained anxious for any information that could reveal what had happened to Darío while emergency organizations worked through the debris. Eventually, the family received the most painful news. José Fernando Patiño confirmed his father's death through a post on his Instagram account, sharing the deep sorrow the tragedy brought upon him amid the disaster caused by the earthquake. Weeks after the tragedy, José Fernando Patiño had an unexpected meeting with Alejandro Eder, the mayor of Cali, with whom he held a brief conversation regarding this situation. The journalist did not hesitate to give heartfelt words, stating that he felt indebted to the local leader for the actions taken on behalf of the victims of this event. Eder asked, "How are you, brother?" Patiño replied, "I have a debt with you, and it is: thanking you for the flags you are carrying, for the support you have given." Patiño added, "I know you haven't slept either and that you have felt this here (he touches his chest). I thank you very much." Eder responded, "Well, no, thank you very much, brother." The video concluded with an emotional embrace, demonstrating the unity and gratitude behind this tragedy that struck the country. In another development, two girls made an emotional request to President Abelardo De La Espriella during a ceremony delivering construction materials, housing, and resources to the affected residents of Cali. The president was present at the Coliseum El Pueblo de Cali, announcing the initial allocation of four new apartments fully furnished thanks to an alliance with the construction company Marval. These first properties were strictly assigned to emblematic cases of the tragedy, including Ana María Saavedra Caicedo, a young triplet survivor who lost her parents, two sisters, and an uncle in the collapse of her building. Another solution was allocated to Diana Marcela Troncoso, a biomedical scientist who spent nearly 30 hours trapped under the rubble of the Torres del Limonar building. During the delivery of Ana María’s apartment, a girl approached the main podium timidly and expressed her anguish over having nowhere to live, as her father, firefighter William Mellizo, who led the rescues in the Torres del Limonar building, had been left homeless along with his family while saving lives among the rubble. The president's response was recorded in the official transmission: "Can we gift your mother a house, an apartment? Well, I will put up half... What do you say? Do we do it? Alright, we will gift the house, I will put up half." After the immediate financial commitment assumed jointly with representatives from the private construction company, the child ran back to celebrate with her family. Minutes later, inspired by the touching outcome, a second girl stood up among the audience to make the same request for her home. The president and the construction firm accepted the request under the same co-financing formula, increasing the housing package immediately from four to six solutions assigned that day in Cali. The mother of the second girl, overwhelmed with emotion, said, "Thank you God, today the president has gifted us an apartment to live as a family. I felt my heart would jump out of my chest, I couldn’t believe it. Thank you, Mr. President, for giving this opportunity to my daughter, my husband, and my other two children, because we are a family." Beyond these spontaneous agreements on stage, the presidential visit left significant economic and institutional commitments for the reconstruction of the regional infrastructure. Accompanied by the Minister of Housing, Jaime Andrés Beltrán, the head of state confirmed the arrival of the first shipment of resources aimed at rebuilding the region's infrastructure. Three weeks after the earthquake, the City Council of Cali delivered a new balance of the consequences of the emergency and announced a change in the methodology used to monitor the situation. As of August 31, the number of deceased remained at 154, with all bodies of the victims already handed over to their families. Currently, there are 16 active reports of missing persons, down from 17 due to the validation process carried out by the Colombian Red Cross through cross-checking information with health entities, Forensic Medicine, and the families themselves. Thousands of families continue to face the consequences of the disaster. So far, 47,635 families have undergone damage assessment and need evaluation, while 36,427 have been reported as damaged. Additionally, 479 individuals remain in temporary accommodations managed to address the emergency. Infrastructure reviews continue, with authorities counting 1,373 buildings subjected to specialized technical visits. Among these evaluated, 349 are habitable, 631 are non-habitable, and 356 have restricted use. Moreover, 24 buildings have been completely collapsed, and 411 have partially collapsed. Another significant development is the signing of more than 120 contracts related to the earthquake relief efforts. This indicates ongoing progress in addressing the aftermath of the disaster. Meanwhile, the fashion industry joined the effort through the campaign "Vístete de esperanza," launched by the civic movement "Vístete de Colombia," which brings together over 1,800 national brands. This solidarity initiative aims to assist families affected by the emergency resulting from the recent earthquake. The campaign, originating from the Valle del Cauca, directly aligns with "Colombia un Solo Corazón," led by First Lady Ana Lucía Pineda. Its primary goal is to mobilize the fashion industry, private sector, brands, and designers to donate new clothing and economic resources for women, men, children, and teenagers of all ages who have lost everything. Adriana Arboleda, co-founder of "Vístete de Colombia," emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, "In the most difficult moments, Colombians have repeatedly shown that they can unite and turn solidarity into concrete actions. A piece of clothing is much more than clothes: it is warmth, dignity, and hope. When a family receives a new piece of clothing, they receive the message that they are not alone." This campaign has gained support from renowned designer Johanna Ortiz, who has contributed her leadership with full awareness of the impact achieved when the efforts of the industry are coordinated. To ensure transparency, the Corporation El Minuto de Dios and ProPacífico will serve as partners responsible for receiving, organizing, and channeling donations. All deliveries will include certification, tracking, and traceability. President Abelardo De La Espriella distributed aid to earthquake victims in Cali, highlighting the collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to ensure that no one is left behind.