Episcopal leaders, organizations offer prayers and support for Colombia after earthquake strikes western region
Residents search through the rubble after an earthquake struck Pereira, Colombia, on Aug. 10. Photo: Miguel Angel Lopez/AP
[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal leaders are calling for prayers and offering support after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Aug. 10. More than 250 people are dead and more than 2,597 people are injured.
“We lift up our prayers for the communities and families affected by this earthquake,” the Bogotá-based Diocese of Colombia said in an Aug. 10 Facebook post. “May God grant them strength, protection and comfort, and help us remain united in solidarity and hope.”
Occuring at 7:34 a.m. Central, the earthquake‘s epicenter was in the Chocó Department on the Pacific coast, which is Colombia’s poorest region and home to its largest Afro-Colombian population. At least 4,130 people have been reported missing, and an estimated 5,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, according to Colombia President Abelardo De La Espriella, who was sworn in three days earlier. Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, and other cities have also reported fatalities and structural damage.
The earthquake struck near what is Colombia’s “Eje Cafetero,” also known as the “Coffee Axis” or “Coffee Triangle,” a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Coffee is both a significant part of Colombia’s cultural identity and one of the South American country’s largest exports.
The Houston-based Diocese of Texas said in an Aug. 10 Facebook post, “We stand with Colombia in prayer.
“We keep the people of Colombia in our prayers after the recent earthquake,” it said. “We pray for those who lost loved ones, those who are hurt and all the families and communities affected. May God give strength to those helping, comfort to those in pain and hope to everyone during this difficult time.”
The Diocese of Colombia, which is part of The Episcopal Church’s Province IX, has 12 churches and 11 missions in 15 cities throughout the country.
Episcopal News Service attempted to reach out to Colombia Bishop Pastor Elias Garcia Cardenas via WhatsApp, and coverage will be updated upon receiving a response.
Puerto Rico Bishop Rafael Morales Maldonado said in an Aug. 10 Facebook post that he has been communicating with Cardenas:
“I expressed our solidarity and our readiness to help in any way needed,” Maldonado said. “We are praying for Colombia, for the victims and for the affected families. We stand with you!”
The earthquake happened less than two months after back-to-back major earthquakes struck Colombia’s neighbor to the northeast, Venezuela, near Caracas on June 25, killing more than 6,300 people. Some leaders from the Diocese of Colombia collected money, medicine and other goods and crossed the border to deliver the aid in person to diocesan leaders in Venezuela.
Dozens of countries, including the United States, have offered Colombia financial and recovery assistance. The U.S. State Department announced on Aug. 10 that it will commit $15.5 million in funding for emergency shelter, food, earthquake assessments and more.
In a prayer posted Aug. 10 on Facebook, the National Episcopal Church Women called for comfort, healing and guidance.
“Gracious God … bring comfort to those who are frightened, healing to those who are injured and strength to those who have lost homes or loved ones. Guide the hands of rescuers and surround every family with your peace and presence,” the organization’s post said. “May hope rise from the devastation and may the people of Colombia know that they are not alone.”
-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service. She can be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.