Colombia Earthquake Emergency: Help Rebuild a School and Support Affected Families
On August 10, one of the strongest earthquakes in Colombia’s recent history struck the Pacific and Andean regions in the west of the country, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake impacted communities across the region, damaging homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and critical infrastructure, while leaving thousands of families facing uncertainty and hardship
As emergency response efforts continue, the full scale of the disaster is still emerging. Hundreds of people have been injured, many families have been displaced, and communities are working to recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake. Authorities have mobilized emergency services, rescue teams, and humanitarian support to assist those most affected
A Direct Impact on the Lasallian Community
Among the communities affected are two La Salle schools located within the earthquake-affected area. One of them, La Salle Pereira, has suffered severe structural damage that now places its reopening at risk. Without urgent intervention, 362 students may be unable to return to school when classes resume.
For these students and their families, the school is more than a building. It is a place of learning, stability, community, and hope. In times of crisis, schools often become anchors for recovery, helping children regain a sense of normalcy and supporting families as they rebuild their lives. The loss of access to education can have lasting consequences for young people already coping with the trauma of a natural disaster.
The Lasallian Response
The La Salle network in Colombia has responded immediately to the emergency, mobilizing its communities and coordinating relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake. Teams on the ground are collecting and distributing essential goods and humanitarian aid to families who have lost their homes or are facing emergency situations. At the same time, efforts are underway to assess the damage to educational facilities and identify the resources needed to safely reopen La Salle Pereira as quickly as possible. The goal is not only to respond to the immediate crisis, but also to help communities begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding.
In the aftermath of this disaster, your support can make a meaningful difference.
A donation will have a tremendous impact. It will help repair and restore La Salle Pereira so that 362 students can return to their education, and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to other families, schools, and communities affected by the earthquake. Support the delivery of essential supplies to those facing urgent needs, strengthen recovery efforts, and help affected communities rebuild for the future.
By supporting this appeal, you are investing not only in the physical reconstruction of a school but also in the education, well-being, and future of hundreds of young people. Your generosity can help ensure that 362 students return to school, families receive the support they urgently need, and hope is restored where it is needed most.
Donate today and help the Lasallian community respond to the earthquake emergency in Colombia.