On August 10, 2026, a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near San José del Palmar in Chocó, Colombia.

According to the latest official report from the Government of Chocó, 93,300 people have been affected, 4,963 homes have been destroyed, and 26,088 homes have been damaged across 30 municipalities.

Behind every one of those numbers is a family trying to figure out what comes next.

My name is Diana Tobar. I am Colombian and currently live in Medellín, Colombia.

For me, this is deeply personal. Chocó is the land of my family and my ancestors. I was not born there, but my family has deep roots in the region, and some of my most precious childhood and teenage memories were made there. It is a place that has given my family, generations before me, and me more than I could ever put into words.

Chocó was vulnerable long before this earthquake. It is one of Colombia’s poorest and most geographically isolated regions. Many communities face limited infrastructure, displacement, and the lasting effects of conflict. Some areas are so remote that they can only be reached by river.

When a disaster of this magnitude strikes communities already facing these challenges, recovery becomes even harder.

I couldn’t just watch from a distance. So I started helping.

Before creating this GoFundMe, my family, friends, volunteers, local contacts, strangers, and I had already begun raising money and turning those donations into tangible help.

During the first stage of this effort, we focused on immediate humanitarian needs. We collected both monetary and in-kind donations and purchased essential supplies, including food, diapers, feminine hygiene products, medical supplies, clothing, mattresses, rechargeable lights, pet food, and other necessities for affected families.

We walked through stores and warehouses looking for the best prices, asked businesses for discounts, packed and inventoried donations, and coordinated transportation to Chocó.

That first stage of aid is already underway. Now our focus is shifting to what families urgently need next: rebuilding their homes.

We have already begun purchasing construction materials, including materials needed to repair damaged homes. But the scale of the destruction is enormous, and what we have been able to purchase so far is only a beginning.

According to the latest official figures, 4,963 homes have been destroyed, and another 26,088 have been damaged.

Families now face a challenge that will last far beyond the first weeks after the earthquake: having a safe place to live again.

Our next phase: rebuilding

The primary focus of the funds raised through this GoFundMe will be construction and roofing materials for earthquake-affected families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Depending on the specific needs identified on the ground, funds may be used to purchase materials such as cement, roofing materials, reinforcement materials, lumber, and other basic construction supplies needed to repair or rebuild homes.

Funds may also cover transportation and logistics directly related to getting these materials to Chocó and to the communities where they are needed. This is particularly important because transportation into and within Chocó can be difficult and costly, especially when moving heavy construction materials.

If urgent humanitarian needs continue to arise, a portion of the funds may also be used for essential relief supplies. However, the priority of this next stage is helping families repair and rebuild their homes.

Who is organizing this fundraiser?

I am organizing this fundraiser independently, with the support of my family, volunteers, local contacts, and people on the ground in Chocó.

I am not collecting funds on behalf of the Government of Chocó or any government agency. Official government reports are referenced only to provide accurate information about the scale of the disaster.

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will be managed by me and used directly for this relief effort.

I will continue working with people on the ground to identify needs, purchase materials, coordinate transportation, and help get those materials to affected communities.

I will also continue documenting this effort and sharing updates so donors can see how contributions are being used.

We have already seen what people can accomplish when they come together. The first donations became diapers, food, medical and hygiene supplies, mattresses, clothing, and other essentials. Some of those donations have already helped us begin purchasing construction materials.

But rebuilding a home takes far more.

A roof. Cement. Reinforcement materials. Lumber. Transportation. And, ultimately, the chance for a family to have a safe place to call home again.

Every donation moves us a little closer.

And if you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser. Reaching one more person can make a difference.

I know I cannot rebuild Chocó alone.

But together, we can help one family rebuild, then another, and another.

The emergency response was the first step.

Now, we rebuild.

Thank you for helping Chocó recover and rebuild. ❤️