Colombia Earthquake — An Appeal for International Solidarity
On August 10, 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia. Many affected communities are especially difficult to reach, and some were already facing severe vulnerability before the earthquake.
What happened
At 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, August 10, 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia. The Servicio Geológico Colombiano, Colombia’s national geological survey, placed the epicenter near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, at a depth of approximately 103 kilometers. Colombia declared a national disaster.
These figures provide a dated official snapshot of the scale of the disaster. They are provisional and may be revised as local reports are verified.
Why this appeal exists
Colombians are already responding. In affected towns and cities, businesses, restaurants, volunteers and community organizations have mobilized to help people facing loss and displacement. This appeal is intended to complement that effort by helping international attention reach communities whose geography and pre-existing vulnerability make relief and recovery especially difficult.
Flor Naciente brings together professionals and accumulated experience from its founding member, Corporación Escuela Galán, whose work with vulnerable communities in Colombia spans more than two decades. That experience informs our concern for remote rural and ethnic communities and for families already affected by displacement.
Recovery will continue long after the initial emergency phase and public attention begins to decline. We are asking that international attention remain with these communities through that longer process.
Who we are, and what our role is here
Corporación Flor Naciente is a Colombian nonprofit organization working with vulnerable populations. It brings together professionals and experience originating in Corporación Escuela Galán and continues to carry out projects with members of those teams. In this initiative our role is solely to raise awareness and help mobilize assistance for people affected by the earthquake.
We are not a relief agency and we do not present ourselves as one. We do not represent the Colombian government, we do not coordinate the emergency response, and we hold no formal relationship with any of the organizations listed below. We are using our institutional voice to call attention to the emergency and to independent humanitarian organizations responding to it.
Corporación Flor Naciente · NIT 901.840.704-9, the Colombian tax identification number · registered with the Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá.
How you can help
Independent humanitarian channels
The organizations below have published information indicating that they are responding to this earthquake. These organizations were informed that Flor Naciente is referencing them as possible channels of internationally recognized reputation for those who wish to support the earthquake response. Their inclusion does not constitute a partnership, certification, endorsement or guarantee. Flor Naciente receives no commission, fee or other benefit from any of them. Donors should do their own due diligence and may use any humanitarian channel they prefer. Reviewed against publicly available information on August 20, 2026; each organization’s own website is the current authority on how it uses funds.
How each organization applies funds is set by that organization. We cannot promise that a given contribution reaches a given community, and we do not make that claim.
Sources
Earthquake parameters: Servicio Geológico Colombiano.
Casualty and damage figures: Unidad Nacional para la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD), consolidated balance as of August 19, 2026, 6:30 a.m. local time (UNGRD official account; corroborated by Radio Nacional de Colombia).
Last updated: August 20, 2026.
Contact
Alonso Castellanos
Executive Director, Corporación Flor Naciente
Bogotá, Colombia
I am available to speak directly with any foundation officer, adviser, journalist or organization that wants to verify this appeal or discuss it.