Colombia’s 7.4 magnitude earthquake and the organizations providing relief

On August 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, the strongest seismic event in the country’s recorded history. The epicenter in Chocó Department has devastated communities already carrying the weight of extreme poverty and decades of conflict. More than 169 people have been confirmed killed, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced or still missing. Over 1,600 buildings are damaged across 20 or more municipalities. Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó, and Armenia are all under red alert.

Chocó Department, where the earthquake hit hardest, is Colombia’s most impoverished region, home to a majority Afro-Colombian and Indigenous population that has needed more for a long time. This earthquake didn’t create this need, it deepened it.

A crisis compounded

The geography of this disaster deserves attention, because it shapes what recovery will require. Chocó is accessible primarily by boat or plane. Armed conflict and high poverty rates preceded this earthquake by decades. The majority Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities near the epicenter were already navigating some of the country’s most severe resource gaps before the ground shifted beneath them.

Airport disruptions are affecting air travel across western Colombia, compounding the logistical challenge for responders moving supplies and personnel. Injured patients are being transferred to Medellín, which has become a primary receiving hub. Bogotá has also ordered evacuations and is contending with some structural damage of its own. Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella has declared a national disaster and personally assumed command of the emergency response.

The scale of need across these communities will outlast the initial emergency by months, and in some areas, by years.

The organizations on the ground today

The following organizations have confirmed response operations in Colombia and are eligible to receive support through Deed, Bonterra’s employee giving and grantmaking platform, as well as through CyberGrants for corporate grantmakers. Each link connects directly to their verified Deed profile.

Asociacion de Bancos de Alimentos de Colombia — Colombia’s national network of food banks, coordinating local food distribution to communities affected by the earthquake. As a Colombia-based organization with established presence in the affected regions, they are uniquely positioned to reach the communities that need support most.

International Rescue Committee — IRC staff near Chocó are on the ground and reporting damage to hospitals and clinics in the epicenter region. IRC operates across EveryAction and ETO/Impact Management and has an active emergency response now underway.

Mercy Corps — Mercy Corps has confirmed its operational presence in Colombia and is responding in the affected region. The organization has deep emergency response experience across Latin America.

Catholic Relief Services — CRS has maintained decades of continuous presence in Colombia, with longstanding programs serving Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities. It is one of the most deeply rooted international humanitarian organizations operating in the country.

Save the Children — Save the Children Federation is responding to the earthquake with a particular focus on the needs of children and families. Their disaster recovery programs are active and verified for this campaign.

World Central Kitchen — World Central Kitchen is already delivering meals in Chocó, Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. They are among the fastest-moving responders on the ground today.

Direct Relief — Direct Relief is mobilizing medical aid for Colombia. The organization has directed more than $27 million toward Colombian communities since 2015 and brings one of the largest asset bases in the humanitarian sector to this response.

Americares — Americares is actively assessing health needs across affected communities and is deploying emergency medicine and medical supplies.

All Hands and Hearts — All Hands and Hearts arrived in Pereira the day of the earthquake and specializes in structural rebuild, which will be critical to long-term recovery in Chocó, where housing stock was already severely limited before the disaster.

Convoy of Hope — Convoy of Hope is conducting food distribution and focuses its recovery work on agricultural communities, women, and children. The organization has a confirmed and active giving record on Deed.

CARE — CARE is responding to the humanitarian needs created by the earthquake and brings extensive experience working with vulnerable populations in crisis settings across Latin America.

UNICEF USA — UNICEF teams are working with local government authorities to assess needs and determine where support is most urgently required.

ActionAid USA — ActionAid USA is responding to the Colombia earthquake as part of the global ActionAid network, which operates across 71 countries with deep partnerships among local organizations on the frontlines of crises. Their approach centers women’s leadership in disaster response and channels support directly to community-level organizations in the affected region, including in some of the most resource-limited areas of Chocó.

Bonterra’s extended customer service and nonprofit directory

Nonprofits: Alongside our directory of verified nonprofits to support, we are offering reduced-cost and free services to further aid our nonprofit customers responding on the ground. Request support with launching new donation campaigns, accessing discounted software expansion licenses, or being added to our directory. Reach out to your Account Executive or email [email protected] today.

Funders and CSR teams: If your team needs help using our platform to mobilize employee giving or direct grants to nonprofits responding to the Colombia earthquake, contact your Customer Success Manager or Account Executive. You can also launch or contribute to a giving campaign directly through Deed: Start a campaign on Deed.

Further resources to help you mobilize

• Fundraising appeal template: Email template for employee giving
• Bonterra program overview video: Disaster relief and limited campaigns
• Increase impact with a data-driven disaster response: Review the case study
• Community Relief Impact Playbook: A long-term planning resource