Philadelphia’s Colombian community rallies to help earthquake victims
Three days after an earthquake devastated Colombia, the community rallies to support folks in need. Here is how, what and where to donate, and how to become a volunteer in Philly.
Joy Huertas, 33, woke up Monday morning in her Philadelphia home to multiple messages in her family’s WhatsApp group: Her parents were nowhere to be found.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake had struck her hometown of Pereira, Colombia, as well as other areas of the country, leaving more than 200 people dead and thousands missing.
Huertas knew her father had a doctor’s appointment in the center of the city that morning before heading to the airport for a flight to Bogota.
A quick look on social media showed her that Pereira’s airport had a half-collapsed roof and that the building in which the doctor worked had been reduced to rubble.
“I started to panic,” Huertas said.
An hour later, she managed to get hold of her brother. Her parents were safe.
Fortunately, her father’s doctor had rescheduled his appointment to an earlier time, before the earthquake. But, with the power out and the internet connection spotty, she had not been able to contact any family members until well past noon.
“My mom said that it felt like the land had turned into the sea, and that it went on for so long, everything around them was shaking,” Huertas said, holding back tears. “She said everyone was so scared to go back inside.”
By Tuesday, conditions had not improved. The aftershocks had Huertas’ Pereira neighbors dragging mattresses out and sleeping in front of their homes.
“Mom said it feels like being back in the pandemic because the lines to buy supplies are so long, and when your turn comes mostly everything is gone,” Huertas said. “They have no water, people are running out of food, and the trucks with supplies can’t access the area to put food back in the grocery stores.”
Still with a heavy heart, Huertas found solace in a Wednesday night vigil organized by Acción Colombia. The Philly community nonprofit provides resources, coordinates events, and serves as a cultural bridge for the more than 8,000 Colombian nationals living in Philadelphia, as well as folks in New Jersey and Delaware.
Dozens of people gathered outside City Hall, with Colombian flags, to hold each other through the sense of loss. Through live music and a moment of silence to pay respect to the dead, one thing was clear: The community wanted to help.
“We’ve come to give Colombia a hug and show our solidarity so that people find the strength to rebuild after such a catastrophic event,” said Leity Rodriguez Largo, Acción Colombia director.
Moved by how many people in Philadelphia reached out to the organization looking to help people back home, Acción Colombia began organizing to send resources to the earthquake-affected areas.
“Philadelphians have been wonderful. They need to know that every ounce of help counts and is appreciated,” Rodriguez Largo said.
On Saturday and Sunday, Acción Colombia will be holding multiple events in and around Philly to collect donations. Here is how to help:
Resources needed
Before donating, make sure the perishable items have not expired and other items have not been previously opened.
Food: Canned goods such as chicken, tuna, sardines, beans, vegetables, and fruit. Also: rice, cereal, pet food, and powdered hydration drinks.
Hygiene and baby products: Diapers (for all ages), baby wipes, formula, feminine hygiene products, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deodorant.
Emergency equipment: First aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, work gloves, helmets, and face masks.
Packing tools: Scissors, packing tape, and medium boxes.
What not to bring
According to Rodriguez Largo, water bottles are not being accepted right now because they are hard to transport and can be found in areas not affected by the earthquake. Clothing items will not be accepted, either.
Where to donate in Philadelphia
Acción Colombia will be at these locations both Saturday and Sunday:
5 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Amigos’ Colombian Bakery, 6216 Bustleton Ave., Oxford Circle.
3 to 8 p.m.: Lighthouse Field/Oblea Fusion, 101 E. Erie Ave., North Philadelphia.
Where to donate outside Philadelphia
Donations will be collected in Malvern on Saturday, between noon and 8 p.m., near Mi Pais restaurant, 477 Lancaster Ave.
How to volunteer
Philadelphians who would like to volunteer to pack and classify the items are welcome to text Acción Colombia at 267-423-9020, Rodriguez Largo said.
For monetary donations
Rodriguez Largo recommends directly supporting the groups already on the ground in Colombia. She advises monetary donations to go to Manos Visibles, a nongovernmental organization helping people in the most affected areas.
