Adventists Distribute Over 1,200 Food Packages in Quibdó, Colombia, After Earthquake

More than 1,200 food packages have been distributed to families in Quibdó, Colombia, as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Colombia, rescue teams and church members continue responding to communities affected by a recent earthquake. The response has included search-and-rescue support, damage assessments, emergency assistance, food distribution and efforts to identify the needs of affected families throughout Chocó, one of the areas hit by the earthquake.

A preliminary assessment by the Southwest Colombian Conference identified damage to 23 Adventist churches and reported 382 church members whose homes were destroyed or partially damaged. District pastors’ reports compiled by the conference found that 39 homes belonging to 142 church members were destroyed, while another 240 members reported partial damage. The largest concentrations of reported damage were in the Central Chocó, Southeast Quibdó, Quibdó Horeb and San Juan Baudó districts. Church leaders said communication difficulties in some areas complicated efforts to gather information. Beyond documenting structural losses, the assessment also helped identify families who needed immediate assistance and those unable to return home because of unsafe conditions, a need of protection that the response has sought to address (Psalm 82:3).

Responding to a request from Chocó authorities for emergency assistance, a six-member team from the Adventist rescue organization GARSA Medellín traveled from Antioquia on Aug. 10, arriving in Quibdó at approximately 2 a.m. the following day. The team brought search-and-rescue capabilities, an ambulance and prehospital emergency support. Working alongside local authorities and risk-management officials, the rescuers supported emergency operations and assessed damaged structures to help determine whether affected homes could be safely occupied.

“Fortunately, by God’s mercy, there have been few fatalities and few people reported missing,” said José Sepúlveda, coordinator of GARSA. “What we have found are many damaged homes that will no longer be safe to inhabit.” The team remained in the area until the requested search and assessment operations were completed.

ADRA Colombia activated its emergency response on the morning of Aug. 10 and began seeking additional resources for affected communities. The North Colombian Union contributed funds to strengthen the response, and the agency established collection centers in Pereira, Manizales, Medellín, Bogotá and Cali. Donations focused primarily on hygiene kits and bedding. Based on assessments from the initial phase of the emergency, ADRA Colombia projected that approximately 670 families would receive assistance.

The effort expanded on Aug. 19, when more than 800 food packages were distributed to affected families in Quibdó through a joint effort by the North Colombian Union, the Southwest Colombian Conference, ADRA Colombia, Adventist church members from Medellín and other entities across the union territory. Combined with 400 packages provided by other donors in preceding days, more than 1,200 food packages have been distributed. Representatives of the North Colombian Union and the Southwest Colombian Conference joined Jair Flórez, director of ADRA Colombia, along with volunteers and church members during the distribution.

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