Cartagena activates aid campaign for earthquake victims and sets up a collection point from this Tuesday: help can be brought here

The Cartagena Mayor's Office has designated the Bernardo Caraballo Coliseum to receive water, food, and other items intended for affected communities. Images of the earthquake's impact in Cali. Photo: EL TIEMPO. SUBEDITOR 10.08.2026 17:27 Updated: 10.08.2026 17:27 Cartagena is preparing to send humanitarian aid to the most affected areas by the strong earthquake recorded this Monday, August 10, in Colombia. The Mayor, Dumek Turbay Paz, ordered the launch of a donation collection campaign starting Tuesday, August 11. The campaign will have the Bernardo Caraballo Coliseum as the collection center, where citizens can bring basic necessity items between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. READ ALSO The initiative was announced amidst the national emergency caused by the seismic activity and aims to channel the solidarity of Cartagena residents toward communities in need of assistance. The operation will be supported by various district departments, including the Office of Disaster Risk Management (OAGRD), the Office of Social Management, the Office of International Cooperation, the Fire Department, the District Administrative Department of Health (Dadis), and the District Institute of Sports and Recreation (IDER). What can be donated? The Mayor's Office has established a list of products that will be prioritized during the collection day. Among the requested items are water and non-perishable foods, considered essential to meet the immediate needs of affected people. Sheets and mattresses, as well as hygiene and personal care items, will also be accepted. The district administration indicated that other basic necessity items may also be delivered, depending on the needs identified during the emergency response. Participants are advised to donate products in good condition for use and that can be effectively distributed among communities in need. Several departments will coordinate aid The earthquake in Colombia. Photo: EL TIEMPO The event will not be managed by a single entity. The District coordinated different offices and organizations to support the reception and management of donations. The OAGRD will participate in coordination related to risk management, while other district departments will contribute with logistical and social efforts. The Cartagena Fire Department, Dadis, and IDER will also participate, according to information provided by the Mayor's Office. The involvement of the Office of International Cooperation aims to facilitate the coordination of efforts to channel resources and support during the emergency. The district administration seeks to organize aid and later direct it to populations with the greatest needs. Monetary contributions will also be accepted In addition to in-kind donations, the initiative includes the possibility of making monetary contributions to support the affected individuals. According to information provided by the Mayor's Office, those wishing to contribute financially can do so through a Banco Davivienda savings account registered in the name of the El Minuto de Dios Organization Corporation. The details for making these contributions are: Davivienda savings account: 0040 0024 0970 Holder: El Minuto de Dios Organization Corporation NIT: 860.010.371-0 The entity also has its official website for those who want to learn more about its support mechanisms. Cartagena joins the national response Cartagena will activate the Bernardo Caraballo Coliseum to receive aid starting Tuesday. Photo: Courtesy The District's decision comes as authorities from different regions continue assessing the earthquake's consequences and consolidating reports of affected people and damages. In the hours immediately following the seismic event, emergency agencies activated response and monitoring mechanisms in areas with the greatest impact. In this context, the Cartagena Mayor's Office aims to turn citizen solidarity into organized aid through a collection point that allows gathering the requested items and later facilitating their distribution. The call to Cartagena residents is to participate in the campaign starting Tuesday and mainly bring the prioritized products. Information on the evolution of the emergency and the needs of affected communities may determine whether the list of required items is expanded or modified later. For now, the Bernardo Caraballo Coliseum will be the main meeting point for those wishing to contribute to the humanitarian response from Cartagena, in a campaign seeking to unite efforts in the face of the emergency caused by the quake. This video may interest you: Follow all Colombia news on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERS Register for our newsletters and receive news in your email based on your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. 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