On the morning of August 10, 2026, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia, with its epicenter in the department of Chocó. The earthquake was felt across a large part of the western part of the country and caused devastating damage throughout Colombia. Homes collapsed, communities were evacuated, and families were suddenly left without safe places to live.

Indigenous communities living in rural and remote territories are facing additional barriers when it comes to receiving emergency assistance & attention, accessing supplies, and rebuilding their homes at this time!

Hola! My name is Laurita, creator of Raíces Tejidas, an artisan collective that works directly with Indigenous women and artisans here in Colombia. I am from Colombia and currently live in Medellin!

I am organizing this fundraiser to provide direct emergency relief and rebuilding support to two Indigenous Embera Chamí communities that I personally work with and whose families have been severely affected by the earthquake.

I personally know the two women I am coordinating with and receiving information from. For more than three years, I have worked directly with these women, and since the earthquake struck, they have been sending me photographs, videos, and updates about the damage and the urgent needs on the ground.

I am raising an initial goal of $15,000 USD to provide immediate assistance, essential supplies, transportation, and materials needed to begin repairing and rebuilding homes on their reservations. MORE DETAILS BELOW, PLEASE READ! THE FUNDS RAISED WILL BE SPLIT AND DIVIDED BETWEEN 2 COMMUNITIES/RESERVATIONS.

Resguardo/Reservation: Unificado

Vereda Kundumí, Risaralda

From the information I have received directly from friend and community member Lina, as of now 12 families in the community have been affected by the earthquake, including families whose homes have collapsed. They are in need of diapers, baby food, baby milk, and other hygiene needs as well! Official report of families affected will be uploaded!

Resguardo/Reservation: Karmata Rua

Cristianía, Antioquia

Karmata Rua, located in Cristianía, between Jardín and Andes in Antioquia.

As of right now 34 homes have currently been deemed uninhabitable, with some homes completely collapsing and others opening up or suffering structural damage severe enough that families can no longer safely return.

Roofs have collapsed, walls and structures have been damaged, and the surrounding land has also suffered significant impacts.

The immediate needs for these 2 communities are: food, potable water, kitchen supplies, hygiene and sanitation products, and materials to begin rebuilding damaged homes.

WHERE YOUR DONATION WILL GO:

Food and household necessities:

Food and grocery packages (mercados)

Potable drinking water

Kitchen utensils and basic cooking supplies

Personal hygiene supplies

Sanitary and cleaning supplies

Baby diapers

Baby milk

Baby wipes

Toilet paper

Construction and rebuilding materials:

Cement

Bricks

Steel reinforcing bars (varillas)

Flejes / reinforcing ties

Roofing sheets

Wood & other construction materials

Tools and protective equipment

Transportation to and from the community to bring supplies into the community

ALL OF THIS CAN BE PURCHASED LOCALLY AND TAKEN TO THE COMMUNITIES

The people living in these territories know which homes are unsafe. They know which families have lost the most. They know which elders need assistance and what supplies are actually useful.

My goal with the help of you all, is to help provide them with the resources to respond to their community members ASAP.

I will personally coordinate the distribution of the funds and work directly with Rosa, Lina, and the communities to determine where the money is most urgently needed.

Receipts and proof of purchases will be collected, and will continue sharing photographs, videos, and updates as the relief effort progresses.

Thank you for standing with the Embera Chamí communities of Karmata Rua and Resguardo Unificado. Whatever help offered and money donated is super important and greatly appreciated!