Following the earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, the Shalom Catholic Community’s mission in Bogotá mobilized members of the Community, the Shalom Work, and friends of the mission to collect donations for families affected by the disaster.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake, whose epicenter was in San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, was felt in different parts of the country and was followed by several aftershocks. According to the Colombian Geological Service, the earthquake was among the strongest seismic events recorded in the country in recent decades.
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Despite new tremors recorded in the region, members of the Community and the Shalom Work in Bogotá remain safe. The Community continues to monitor the situation and pray for the victims and all the families affected by the earthquake and its aftershocks.
Bogotá: From concern to solidarity
The earthquake was strongly felt in Bogotá. In the first hours after the tremor, Bogotá’s District government received 134 reports from residents, mainly concerning cracks and damage to non-structural elements. After technical teams carried out inspections in different areas of the capital, authorities reported that no major structural damage had been identified.
The Colombian capital also made rescue teams available to the hardest-hit areas.
The situation was particularly difficult in the western part of the country. In the Pacific region, especially in Chocó and Valle del Cauca, as well as in various areas of the Coffee Region, communities faced the consequences of the earthquake. Families were forced to leave their homes and rely on emergency response organizations and solidarity initiatives that emerged in different parts of Colombia.
It was in response to this reality that the Shalom Mission in Bogotá decided to join the relief efforts.
Donations are being distributed through UNIAGRARIA
The donations collected by the Shalom Mission are being distributed through the Universitaria Agraria de Colombia Foundation (UNIAGRARIA), a higher education institution that made its Bogotá campus available as a collection point for earthquake victims.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with the Colombian Red Cross and received different types of aid for affected communities, including personal hygiene kits, shelter and household supplies, and supplies for animals affected by the emergency.
Charity has a human face
The campaign received a positive response from members of the Shalom Work and people close to the Community. Every donation, from hygiene products to basic necessities, became a concrete expression of closeness to those facing the consequences of the disaster.
For the missionaries, the effort went beyond collecting material goods. Alongside the material assistance, prayers continued for the victims, their families, rescue workers, and everyone working in the affected areas.
In this way, the initiative expressed an understanding of charity as a concrete response to suffering. Small acts of sharing could become signs of hope for people who now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives after the earthquake.
“With the heart one believes”
The initiative also took on a special meaning within the context of the local Church. In 2026, the Archdiocese of Bogotá is beginning the first year of its 2026–2028 Triennium, “A Time to Cultivate Faith.” During this period, the archdiocesan Church seeks to nourish faith through an encounter with the Word of God, guided by Romans 10:10: “With the heart one believes.”
A faith cultivated in the heart is also called to become visible in everyday life. In the face of those who are suffering, prayer, generosity, and a willingness to serve become concrete signs of the Gospel.
This spirit also echoes the words of Pope Leo XIV. Referring recently to another population affected by an earthquake, the Holy Father called for “the solidarity of the international community” not to be lacking and assured his prayers for the victims, their families, and everyone involved in relief efforts.
The mobilization carried out by the Shalom Bogotá Mission is a reminder that Christian solidarity does not end with the immediate aftermath of a tragedy. Through prayer, sharing, and service, the Community seeks to remain close to affected families and turn faith into concrete acts of charity.
By Eduardo Gomes Muniz Macêdo
