On Monday, the South American country of Colombia was struck by a powerful earthquake at 7:34 a.m. local time.
According to the Associated Press, the quake reached a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale, which caused Colombia’s Geological Service to declare it the strongest earthquake to hit the country “in the 21st century.”
The quake epicenter was in San José del Palmar, a city in western Colombia, about 250 miles west of the country’s capital of Bogotá.
While search and rescue efforts are ongoing, the death toll has already been confirmed to be high.
According to the AP, at least 111 people are confirmed to have died as a result of the quake. An additional 87 people, including children, have been injured, and the quake’s shocks have damaged 1,500 homes and at least 60 buildings have collapsed, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
If you want to help with relief efforts, there are thankfully several ways you can make a contribution, including:
UNICEF USA
The UN’s children’s agency is already on the ground in Colombia, supporting the country’s national response efforts. The agency is accepting donations, which will help it carry out its relief activities. You can make a donation in any amount you wish. More info here.
World Central Kitchen
WCK is a nonprofit that provides fresh meals to areas hit by climate, natural, and humanitarian disasters. The agency is already active in Colombia, serving meals to people forced out of their homes by the quake. More info here.
All Hands & Hearts
AH&H is a global nonprofit that helps communities recover from disasters. The agency has been in Colombia since Monday, coordinating with authorities and helping to procure emergency supplies for rescue teams. More info here.
The House Project
This nonprofit works to provide shelter to those who are displaced by natural disasters and other calamities. The agency has a dedicated Colombia earthquake page where you can donate to support relief efforts in the country. More info here.
