Bogota: The Catholic Church in Colombia is calling for continued support for communities affected by the powerful earthquake that struck the country on August 10, warning that the humanitarian emergency will continue long after public attention begins to fade.
Bishop Juan Carlos Barreto Barreto, Bishop of Soacha and president of Caritas Colombia, said the Church remains committed to standing with people who have lost homes, family members and their sense of security following the disaster.
According to figures cited by Caritas Colombia, more than 200,000 people have been affected across five regions. More than 300 people have died, while thousands more have been injured. Homes, apartment buildings, hospitals and schools have also suffered serious damage, leaving many families facing uncertain living conditions.
The Church has responded through a coordinated effort involving Caritas Colombia, the Colombian Bishops’ Conference, dioceses across the country, government authorities, civil society groups and international partners. The campaign called With Colombia to the Very Last Corner has helped collect money and essential supplies for communities most in need.
The size of the disaster has required cooperation across the country. Caritas Colombia has worked with social ministry teams in around 14 of the areas most seriously affected and has also coordinated with social ministry leaders in all 78 ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
The immediate priority has been to help people meet their basic needs. Food remains one of the most urgent requirements, while affected communities are also asking for tents, mattresses, cooking equipment and medicines. Many families cannot yet return home because their houses have either been destroyed or badly damaged.
The Church is also responding to the emotional impact of the disaster. Its Health Ministry has established a psychological support line where professionals are offering assistance to people struggling with fear, grief and the stress caused by the earthquake.
Bishop Barreto said the solidarity shown so far by people in Colombia and abroad has been encouraging. The support received has allowed the Church to provide food and temporary places for people to stay during the first weeks of the emergency.
However, he stressed that the response cannot stop at this stage.
The hardest part of the recovery may come after the first wave of emergency assistance has ended. Schools, universities, hospitals, homes, parishes and churches will need to be repaired or rebuilt. Some buildings may require complete reconstruction, while others will need major repairs before communities can return to normal life.
Caritas Colombia is therefore preparing a longer term response that can be adapted to the needs of each affected community. The first stage focuses on food, health supplies and safe accommodation. Later stages will concentrate on reconstruction, restoring public services and helping families regain their independence.
The organisation is drawing on its experience of responding to previous emergencies, including natural disasters, floods and the effects of armed conflict. It is also working with other Caritas organisations and international partners to ensure that assistance is organised and reaches the people who need it most.
Alongside food, shelter and medical assistance, the Church has placed strong emphasis on spiritual and emotional support.
The Archdiocese of Bogotá has sent 80 priests to some of the worst affected areas to provide what the Church describes as Spiritual First Aid. The mission began on August 19, with priests travelling in teams to Pereira, Cali, Palmira, Cartago, Buga and Buenaventura.
Their role is not simply to conduct religious services. They are meeting survivors, listening to their stories, praying with them and offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The aim is to give people a sense that they are not facing the crisis alone.
Cardinal Luis José Rueda Aparicio, Archbishop of Bogotá, said the first days after such a disaster can bring overwhelming questions and uncertainty. The priests are therefore seeking to be physically present in affected communities and offer a message of comfort and hope.
The earthquake has also created particular concerns for children and teenagers. Some have lost parents, become separated from their families or been unable to return to their homes. These circumstances can increase the risk of exploitation, trafficking and other forms of abuse.
Caritas Colombia says protecting children must therefore be part of the wider humanitarian response. The organisation is working with local Church structures to understand the specific situation in different communities and develop measures that promote safety and care for minors.
Bishop Barreto has expressed gratitude to Colombian citizens, Caritas organisations, international cooperation agencies and others who have provided assistance. He has also urged government leaders to put humanitarian needs ahead of political differences as the country moves into the recovery phase.
For the Church, the earthquake response is not a short emergency campaign but a long journey. Food, medicine and shelter are essential in the immediate aftermath, but rebuilding homes, schools, hospitals and communities will take much longer.
Caritas Colombia is therefore urging people not to forget the affected families once the earthquake disappears from the headlines. Continued solidarity will be needed as communities rebuild their lives and restore their homes and institutions.
Bishop Barreto said the Church intends to remain alongside those who are suffering throughout this process. For the communities affected by the earthquake, recovery will take time. Still, the Church hopes that practical assistance, emotional support, prayer and solidarity can help them move forward with renewed hope.