Colombia Earthquake Spurs Church-Led Relief Across Choco Region
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing hundreds and displacing thousands of families. Churches from multiple denominations mobilized within hours, setting up supply centers, distributing food, and providing temporary shelter. Nazarene, Southern Baptist, and Catholic networks are coordinating long-term recovery efforts.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia on August 10, 2026, killing hundreds of people and destroying more than 1,100 homes in the Chocó department. The tremor, centered near San José del Palmar, was the strongest to strike Colombia in a century.
Churches across the country responded within hours. Nazarene congregations in the Eje Cafetero and Southwestern districts set up collection centers for supplies, distributed food and hygiene kits, and opened their buildings as temporary shelters. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinated the effort and launched projects to assist displaced families.
Send Relief, working with the International Mission Board and local Southern Baptist churches, deployed Disaster Assistance Response Teams to hard-hit areas including Cali and Pereira. Teams focused on distributing urgent supplies and providing hands-on support.
Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Colombia used their nationwide parish network to deliver medical care, clean water, and shelter to affected communities.
Individual congregations also stepped up. Palabra Pura in Pereira and Comunidad Cristiana de Fe organized volunteers for search-and-rescue operations and provided meals to displaced residents.
Direct Relief monitored the health situation closely, noting that local hospitals were overwhelmed by trauma cases and crush injuries. The organization coordinated delivery of surgical supplies, antibiotics, and field medic packs for first responders.
Church leaders said the recovery will take months. Beyond immediate needs, organizations are focused on rebuilding damaged homes, pastoral residences, and church buildings that sustained severe structural damage.
