Earthquake survivors in Pereira, Colombia are finding hope in community solidarity as volunteers provide food, shelter and comfort amid the ruins.
In the hard-hit Belalcazar neighborhood alone, more than 20 homes collapsed and many others still standing sustained severe structural damage, threatening to fall at any moment. No fatalities have been reported in the area.
Residents who lost their homes have set up tents on the street in front of what remains of their houses, while others have been moved to temporary shelters.
"When we went to see, it was total sadness. With all that rubble on top of the house. Everyone was scared, crying. That's how far we got," a resident named Alcides Ganan recalled.
The community is organized block by block. The neighborhood action committee's headquarters has become a donation collection point. Volunteers cook during the day to feed neighbors and emergency workers.
Approximately 400 people in the area were affected, and in a neighboring locality, at least 10 people died when several buildings collapsed.
"My house didn't have any damage, but on the most destroyed block are the homes of my mother, my grandfather, my father-in-law and my aunt. There is a lot of solidarity," said Juan David Giraldo, member of the Belalcazar Neighborhood Action Committee.
Earlier, mothers from the neighborhood cooked the day's meal in another tent, determined to care for their community and express gratitude to rescue workers despite being surrounded by rubble and uncertainty.
"Those who are not born to serve are not born to live. We are returning a little of the love that people have given us, that God has given us, that we are alive today. With that, we also nourish the mothers who are wondering what they will do for their children, we embrace those mothers who lost their children, those families who lost everything. With that, we give back a little hope because we will rise again," said Erika Montoya, a resident.
As night fell, a religious gathering was held to pray for strength to rebuild their lives and homes, followed by a hot drink prepared over firewood at the corner store. Conversations served as an outlet, with everything revolving around what happened on Monday.
"We are still in shock. The neighbors, the friends, those who saw us born, those who saw us grow. You look at the faces and you see sadness, disappointment. Just a hug, and wherever you look, there are tears, tears of pain, tears of sadness," said Robinson Montoya, another resident.
Colombian community rallies to support earthquake victims in Pereira
