Bogotá – “The Pontifical Mission Societies of Colombia invite their entire national and international network to remain united in prayer and to express their solidarity with the affected populations. Amid destruction and suffering, mission takes on the concrete face of closeness, comfort, service and fraternity.” These are the words of Father Samir de Jesús García Valencia, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Colombia, following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the central and western regions of the country on Monday morning, August 10 .The epicenter of the earthquake, located in the municipality of San José del Palmar, lies within the Diocese of Istmina-Tadó, in the department of Chocó. The hardest-hit cities include Pereira, Cali, Istmina, Quibdó, Manizales and Armenia, as well as numerous municipalities and rural communities.The latest reports from the region indicate that the death toll has already exceeded 200. Hundreds of people have also been injured, many remain missing, and thousands of families have been displaced. These figures are still provisional, as search-and-rescue operations continue and efforts are underway to re-establish contact with isolated rural communities.In some areas, difficulties in access and communications suggest that the full extent of the disaster may not become clear for several days. The earthquake also caused the collapse of homes and buildings, damaged hospitals, schools, roads, airports and public utilities, and severely affected churches and other religious buildings.“We are living through very difficult moments in our beloved country. Many families have lost loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods. As Pontifical Mission Societies, we want to be close to them, to listen, accompany and help,” Father Samir García writes. “This painful experience calls us to strengthen missionary communion and to continue walking in the hope that does not disappoint, even in the most critical moments of our lives.”The PMS in Colombia have joined the mobilization of the Church community, maintaining constant communication with diocesan PMS directors and missionary pastoral teams throughout the country, with particular attention to the hardest-hit regions. This network makes it possible to assess communities’ needs, share information and strengthen ties among local Churches.“The Church in Colombia remains with its people,” concludes the director of the Colombian PMS. “As search operations continue and reconstruction needs begin to emerge, Christian communities are renewing their commitment not to abandon the victims and to keep hope alive through prayer and concrete solidarity.”
