HOUSTON – A Houston nonprofit with deep ties to Colombia is mobilizing resources to help families and communities impacted by the powerful earthquake that struck the country this week.
Conviventia has launched a Colombia Earthquake Emergency Response fund, giving people in the Houston area and across the country a way to financially support relief efforts.
The organization works with vulnerable communities throughout Colombia and says it already has relationships and community networks in some of the areas affected by the earthquake, including the department of Chocó.
The announcement comes as rescue and recovery efforts continue in Colombia following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake.
What Conviventia is doing
Conviventia says donations collected through its emergency response campaign will go toward immediate needs in affected communities.
According to information provided to KPRC 2, donations will support:
- Medical care for communities affected by the earthquake
- Emergency supplies and essential items
- Psychosocial and trauma-informed care for children, adults and families
- Support for people participating in emergency response efforts
- Training and equipment for first responders and community leaders
- Deployment of humanitarian workers and health professionals
- Transportation and local coordination
- Partnerships with churches and community networks
Those church and community partnerships are expected to continue supporting families after the immediate emergency response ends.
Why Conviventia already has connections in affected areas
Conviventia says its previous work in Colombia gives the organization direct knowledge of several communities affected by the earthquake.
That includes Chocó, where the nonprofit says it has developed relationships and networks with local communities.
Those existing connections are important as organizations work to determine what individual communities need and how to get resources to them.
“Conviventia has experience and direct knowledge of several of the regions that have been affected, especially in the department of Chocó, where we have developed relationships and networks with local communities,” the organization told KPRC 2.
The organization says those relationships help its teams understand existing needs and work closely with people dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake.
Could Houston see a physical donation drive?
Conviventia says it is exploring the possibility of accepting food and other nonperishable items to supplement its response.
For now, the organization is directing people who want to help toward its online earthquake response fund.
Details surrounding a physical collection have not been finalized.
Conviventia says additional information will be shared once collection and distribution plans are established.
That means Houstonians interested in donating physical items should wait for additional instructions from the organization before gathering or dropping off supplies.
How Houstonians can help right now
Conviventia has established an online fund specifically for its Colombia earthquake response.
Money raised will help the organization respond to urgent needs, including medical assistance, emergency supplies, transportation, local coordination and the deployment of humanitarian workers and health professionals.
The organization says contributions of any size will support its humanitarian response.
People interested in helping can donate through Conviventia’s Colombia Earthquake Emergency Response campaign.
Know of another Houston organization helping Colombia?
KPRC 2 is continuing to look for Houston-area organizations, churches, businesses and community groups assisting people impacted by the earthquake.
If your organization is collecting donations, preparing supplies or coordinating assistance for Colombia, let KPRC 2 know about your efforts.