On August 10th, 2026, a devastating 7.4 earthquake struck my home country of Colombia. Pereira, where most of my family lives, was one of the hardest-hit cities. Homes have collapsed, families have nowhere to sleep, and animals are injured, missing, or abandoned amid the rubble across Pereira and other cities including Manizales, Cali, Chocó, and Buenaventura. This is also less than a week into a new extremely conservative presidential administration that is ill prepared for emergency response and semi-resistant to international cooperation. Colombia needs our help. I need your help.
This Saturday, August 15th, my mom and I are sending pet care essentials including food, medication, and blankets from a trusted donation drop-off in Queens, NY. With additional contacts on the ground in Pereira, we are ensuring supplies reach where they're needed most.
A portion of every donation goes to these pet supplies.
The other portion goes to funding for human relief supplies including a donation to the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) which are an incredible emergency response organization that is focused on phase 1 of the response right now: prioritizing tents, hygiene products, and baby supplies for displaced families.
As on the ground needs continue to come to light your donations will also go to the purchase of baby supplies and senior supplies to be distributed in Pereira directly.
I would be deeply grateful for anything you can give to support. I'll be sure to update you all on our supply drop off and proof of our GEM donation, so you can see exactly where your support goes. Thank you for your generosity.
P.S. PET OWNERS: In lieu of gifts, my mom and I would be grateful for any physical donations you can provide by Saturday including unopened pet food, medications, supplements, and treats.
Thank you - Daniela Rico Espinal and the entire Espinal Family
