Colombia earthquake sparks concern among Philadelphia's Colombian community
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday has killed at least 111 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings, prompting a scramble among members of the Philadelphia area's Colombian community to reach loved ones and begin organizing relief efforts.
The earthquake hit just days after Colombia swore in a new president, a circumstance that one Colombian official said is making an already difficult response even more challenging.
For members of Philadelphia's Colombian community, Monday's devastating earthquake triggered hours of uncertainty as families sought information from relatives back home.
"In the beginning, it's just a fear," said Jael Conde, vice chair of Accion Colombia in Philadelphia. "You don't know what's happening. You don't know how is your family, your friends, everyone back home."
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Conde said her relatives, including family members in affected areas, were ultimately safe.
"Everyone is safe, thankfully; even family members who were in the affected areas were fine, thank God," Conde said.
Others were still waiting for answers.
"It was very close to our city, Pereira, so we start to call the family, everybody, but we cannot get in touch," said Sandra Bruce, owner of Los Parceros Steakhouse in Pennsauken Township.
Officials expect casualty and damage figures to rise, particularly near the epicenter in the department of Chocó.
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"That is one of the poorest areas in the country, so we still don't have all the information because connectivity is not good. There is not enough hospitals and so on," said Paula Moreno, president of Manos Visibles and Colombia's former minister of culture.
Moreno, who now leads the Bogotá-based nonprofit organization Manos Visibles, said damaged communications systems, hospitals and airports have complicated relief efforts. She also shared videos from Quibdó that showed extensive destruction.
"It's a lot of devastation because, of course, the buildings and houses were not built for this kind of environmental incident that we are facing," Moreno said.
"Many people lost their homes, many are still looking for their people, half of these schools just collapsed. I know so many children are lost because they were going to the school when this happened."
With more than 10,000 Colombians living in the Philadelphia area, leaders from Colombian, Venezuelan and other Hispanic community organizations are discussing ways to coordinate aid for those affected. Conde said they were meeting Monday night.
"In the beginning, obviously to help with emergencies but eventually we're going to have to help the families rebuild," Conde said. "It's not a situation in which you can help for a short period of time and expect a change. In these cases, there needs to be sustainable help.
Conde added it's also important to devise a plan to help the local community faced with the uncertainty of the situation as things continue to develop.
The Consulate General of Colombia in Newark is directing residents to official Colombian Red Cross donation channels and encouraging Colombian nationals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to monitor official communications as the situation continues to develop.
