Project No. 41/2026 –
Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake
in Colombia
The Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual has proposed Project No. 41/2026, entitled: “Help Us Help: An Urgent Request for Humanitarian Aid for Those Affected by the Earthquake.” This project seeks to support the families hardest hit by the powerful earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, 2026.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake claimed 331 lives and caused extensive damage in the western part of the country. The friars are present in Filandia, Department of Quindío, a municipality in the so-called “Coffee Axis,” one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake. The situation for many farmers is particularly serious. Several have lost everything and, sixteen days after the earthquake, they continue to live outdoors or sleep in makeshift shelters.
From the moment this disaster struck, the four friars who care for the Inmaculada Concepción parish in Filandia have worked tirelessly to assist those affected, bringing food and medicine to farmers in the affected areas, thanks to funds raised through the parish’s social ministry.
To address the most urgent needs, the Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi in Colombia launched the “Help Us Help “ campaign. The campaign aims to raise funds to help rebuild the roofs of homes belonging to the most disadvantaged families in the parish territory entrusted to the friars, who are unlikely to receive government aid.
The fundraising effort is intended to purchase the materials needed to rebuild the roofs, including lumber, corrugated zinc sheets, Eternit roofing, tiles, plastic sheeting, fastening cables, bricks, cement, and other supplies. The friars are also encouraging the faithful, in their various locations, to make donations and are organizing fundraising activities with those in formation.
All proceeds go into a Custody bank account. The Custodial Econom will pay for the materials, and in Filandia, the friars will transport them to the affected families with support from the municipality’s National Police and parish volunteers. Through this act of solidarity, the friars are helping a small number of displaced people and seeking to ease the suffering of some of those who continue to bear the consequences of this disaster.
Special attention is also being paid to the families of two students in formation, living in the hardest-hit areas, who lost everything due to the earthquake. To help them, the friars are working with the Custody’s own resources, and with the support from several Jurisdictions of the Order. The Province of Spain contributed €15,000, while the Province of Mexico provided $3,000.
The initiative aims to support families affected by the earthquake by raising funds to purchase the materials needed to rebuild their roofs and by providing practical assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Project Information
- Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Provincial Custody of St. Francis of Assisi
- Country: Colombia
- Location: Filandia, Department of Quindío
- Type of Project: Humanitarian Emergency
- Date of Proposal: August 26, 2026
- Direct Project Coordinator:
- Friar Sidifredo de la Cruz CHAPARRO GUALDRÓN
- Funding:
- €15,000.00 – Province of Spain
- $3,000 USD – Province of Mexico
- Humanitarian Fund: Open fundraising
- Use of Contributions: Purchasing materials needed to rebuild the roofs of the homes of the most disadvantaged families affected by the earthquake and supporting the relief activities carried out by the friars..
How to Support the Project
You can support Project No. 41/2026 – “Help Us Help: An Urgent Request for Humanitarian Aid for Those Affected by the Earthquake” by making a financial contribution, indicating the project number and title in the payment description.
- Account Holder: CURIA GENERALIZIA DEI FRATI MINORI CONVENTUALI
- Bank: UniCredit S.p.A.
- IBAN: IT66B0200805074000005259514
- BIC / SWIFT: UNCRITM1Y82
- Payment Description: Project No. 41/2026 – Humanitarian emergency following the earthquake in Colombia
Projects Office
Donation Information
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