Following a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake on August 10 that impacted five regions across Colombia, Bishop Juan Carlos Barreto Barreto, president of Caritas Colombia, has called on the international community and local citizens to maintain long-term humanitarian support. Official reports indicate that the disaster affected over 200,000 people, leaving more than 300 dead, thousands injured, and causing widespread devastation to residential buildings, hospitals, and schools.
In response to the tragedy, the Catholic Church has launched a unified relief campaign titled “With Colombia to the Very Last Corner,” coordinating actions across all 78 ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the country alongside local authorities and international agencies. Emergency funding and resources have flowed in, including an initial emergency donation from Pope Leo XIV. In addition to delivering immediate physical necessities such as food, shelter tents, mattresses, and medical supplies, 80 priests and health ministry professionals are delivering critical psychological support and “Spiritual First Aid” to traumatized survivors.
While expressing deep gratitude for the initial wave of global and local solidarity, Bishop Barreto cautioned against early complacency. He emphasized that the severe disruption, loss of housing, and displacement faced by victims will require ongoing commitment long after the initial news coverage subsides, urging partners and civil society to remain engaged through the lengthy reconstruction phase ahead.