A major relief supply distribution center is operating around the clock at the western edge of the city of Pereira, capital of Colombia's Risaralda Department, sorting and dispatching aid to the neediest affected communities following a devastating earthquake.
The quake struck cities across western Colombia at 7:34 local time on Aug. 10, leaving at least 289 people dead, 3,935 injured and 320 missing, according to data released by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) on Sunday. Pereira is one of the most severely impacted cities in the region.
At the largest relief supply distribution hub in Risaralda Department, from dawn until late into the night, supplies ranging from food and drinking water to medical provisions and daily necessities, arriving from across the country and even internationally, keep pouring in. The relief supplies are quickly sorted, packed, and dispatched to the victims who need them most.
"The volume of supplies is increasing, and we hope to receive even more because the demand is truly enormous. In the past couple of days, for instance, we have experienced shortages of some food packages. We still need grains, new undergarments, basic toiletries, and protective masks, and these are running low. In short, the needs are quite urgent right now. Almost everything that an ordinary household requires is needed," said Viviana Lucía Barney, a staff member of the Municipal Government of Pereira.
From morning to night, the center has been bustling not only with officials but also with waves of volunteers who have stepped forward on their own initiative. Over the past five days, more than 1,500 volunteers have contributed their time and energy, working in rotating shifts to handle everything from hauling cargo to sorting and packing.
"Seeing the ruins, seeing people who have lost family members, lost their homes, and seeing how many have lost everything, it truly breaks my heart. This disaster has also given us many ways to get involved in the relief work. We are volunteering from 6:00 to midnight, but everyone divides the shifts according to different time slots," said a volunteer.
Relief hub works non-stop to distribute vital supplies in Colombia after earthquake
Relief hub works non-stop to distribute vital supplies in Colombia after earthquake
The 2026 World Chinese Language Conference is underway in Beijing from Friday to Sunday, with representatives from more than 160 countries and regions discussing the future of international Chinese language education.
Young people learning Chinese from around the world have also gathered to share their experiences.
Interest in learning Chinese continues to grow worldwide, with 210 million people outside China learning or using the language. For many, curiosity about China is the beginning, and learning Chinese brings them closer to the country.
At this year's World Chinese Language Conference, young people from around the world performed an original musical in Chinese, sharing how the language has shaped their lives.
"I'm very interested in Chinese philosophy. When I first heard about Confucius's ideas, I began to fall in love with this culture," said Mattia Marconi, an Italian student from Beijing Foreign Studies University.
For other learners, the language is a way to deepen their understanding of the country, making the whole process of learning about China easier.
"The reason that I enjoy learning Chinese is because I enjoy learning about China. Learning about China through Chinese makes the whole process easier," said Hernan Perez Mckay, an Irish student from Peking University.
Beyond culture and understanding, Chinese has also become a tool for building a new life and discovering new possibilities.
"Chinese has been not only a language for me, but a tool to start a new life here. Because here I discovered myself totally, you know, a new adult with new hobbies, new interests and new ambitions," said Eliz Stepanyan, an Armenian student from Beijing International Studies University.
That interest can also lead to new opportunities. Today, 92 countries have included Chinese in their national education systems. The language connects people, while also opening access to education, professional skills and new opportunities.
"I saw the opportunities and I saw how China was cooperating with different countries across the world. That's when I thought, 'If I learned Chinese, I could have more opportunities'," said Echoni Moses Sterling, a Ugandan student from Beijing Institute of Technology.
Some learners are already looking ahead, hoping to use their language skills to build bridges between China and their home regions.
"I'm hoping sort of to be a bridge between China and Europe. And I hope to do that through sinology and through all the projects, to be able to connect these two peoples. That would be my goal, my mission," said Benjamin Herman, a Belgian student from Peking University.
Young foreign learners see Chinese as more than language
