More than 1,200 food packages have been distributed to families in Quibdó, Colombia, as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Colombia, rescue teams, and church members continue responding to communities affected by a recent earthquake.

A preliminary assessment by the Southwest Colombian Mission identified damage to 23 Adventist churches and reported 382 church members whose homes were destroyed or partially damaged.

The response has included search-and-rescue support, damage assessments, emergency assistance, food distribution, and efforts to identify the needs of affected families throughout Chocó, one of the areas impacted by the earthquake.

Rescue team deploys to Quibdó

Responding to a request from Chocó, Colombia, authorities for emergency assistance, a six-member team from the Adventist rescue organization GARSA Medellín traveled from Antioquia on August 10, arriving in Quibdó at approximately 2am the following day. The team brought search-and-rescue capabilities, an ambulance, and prehospital emergency support.

Working alongside local authorities and risk-management officials, the rescuers supported emergency operations and assessed damaged structures to help determine whether affected homes could be safely occupied.

“Fortunately, by God’s mercy, there have been few fatalities and few people reported missing,” said José Sepúlveda, coordinator of GARSA. “What we have found are many damaged homes that will no longer be safe to inhabit.”

The team remained in the area until the requested search and assessment operations were completed.

Hundreds of Adventists affected

District pastors’ reports compiled by the Southwest Colombian Mission identified damage to 23 Adventist churches across Chocó. Thirty-nine homes belonging to 142 church members were destroyed, while another 240 members reported partial damage, bringing the number of affected members to 382.

Some of the largest concentrations of reported damage were in the Central Chocó, Southeast Quibdó, Quibdó Horeb, and San Juan Baudó districts. Communication difficulties in some areas complicated efforts to gather information, church leaders reported.

Beyond documenting structural losses, the assessment helped identify families in need of immediate assistance and those unable to return to their homes due to unsafe conditions.

ADRA mobilizes assistance

ADRA Colombia activated its emergency response on the morning of August 10 and began seeking additional resources to assist affected communities.

The North Colombian Union Conference contributed funds to ADRA Colombia to strengthen the response, while the agency established collection centers in Pereira, Manizales, Medellín, Bogotá, and Cali. Donations focused primarily on hygiene kits and bedding.

Based on assessments conducted during the initial phase of the emergency, ADRA Colombia projected that approximately 670 families would receive assistance.

The humanitarian effort expanded on August 19 when more than 800 food packages were distributed to affected families in Quibdó through a joint effort by the North Colombian Union Conference, Southwest Colombian Mission, ADRA Colombia, Adventist church members from Medellín, and other entities across the union territory. Combined with 400 packages provided by other donors in the preceding days, more than 1,200 food packages have been distributed.

Representatives of the North Colombian Union Conference and Southwestern Colombian Mission joined Jair Flórez, director of ADRA Colombia, and other volunteers and church members during the distribution.

The food assistance addressed one of the most immediate needs identified among affected families while continuing a response that began with emergency operations and damage assessments.

Serving beyond the immediate response

Joel Jaimes, president of the Southwest Columbia Conference, said the coordinated effort reflects the church’s commitment to accompany families beyond the initial emergency as they begin recovering from the earthquake. He encouraged members to continue praying for affected families throughout Chocó, particularly those who have lost their homes or remain unable to return to them.

The response, he said, puts into practice Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40— “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”—by turning Christian compassion into tangible support and hope for people facing difficult circumstances.

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site.