PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As crews in Colombia search for several thousand people unaccounted for in the wake of Monday’s devastating earthquake, the Colombian community in Philadelphia banded together in support.
There were about 50 people outside City Hall on Wednesday evening. Many waved flags, said prayers, and offered words of encouragement for Western Colombia.
Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake killed at least 265 people, according to Colombian officials, and left several thousand more unaccounted for. More than 200 are believed to be trapped under rubble in the hard-hit city of Cali.
Lina-Maria Garcia has family back in Colombia, whom she was able to contact. “Everyone is physically okay, thankfully — scared, and I think the carryover from the fear trickled throughout the day, and then just the sadness of everything going on,” she said.
“But they’re physically okay, so thank God for that.”
Joana Plazas, who serves on the board of Acción Colombia, helped organize the vigil. She said the show of solidarity was meant in part to help support those whose loved ones live in more remote areas.
“Understandably for members of those communities and those areas in this region, it’s just a little bit harder for them, because they haven’t been able to connect with loved ones,” she said.
Acción Colombia’s social media accounts have organizations who are accepting monetary and physical donations, as well as more information on how to help.
