This Friday October 16the Colombia Light and Smiles Foundationchaired by the first lady of the nation, Ana Lucia Pineda, submitted a full report about donations received the ‘Colombia, one heart’ campaign for the areas most affected by the recent earthquake.
The document It was known after the questions against them for the destination of these resources. In this regard, the first lady denied any “appropriation” of aid that were collected for the affected families.
READ ALSO
The report corresponds to the period between he July 7 and October 16, 2026 and Gather management details in “the use of resources received, both in money and in kind, for the attention of the emergency and the beginning of the reconstruction phase“.
“The information is shared for the purpose of promoting transparencystrengthen trust and encourage the participation of donors, allies, beneficiary communities and other interest groups”, reads in the extensive document.
Ana Lucía Pineda wore a design by Silvia Tcherassi during the presidential inauguration in Cali, 2026. Photo:Courtesy
Foundation report presented by the first lady of Colombia, Ana Lucía Pineda
According to the details revealed, the Foundation was in the “planning phase” of his interventions when the emergency occurred in the country. However, from that moment put all his capacity “at the service of families.”
In that sense, the Foundation explained that its management between the months of August, September and the current October was developed in two major phases: that of safeguard lives and that of reconstruction.
In the first phase, the Foundation worked together with collection centers and volunteering for delivery of humanitarian aid and emotional support for the victims of this tragedy.
READ ALSO
In the second phase, the reconstruction is aimed at ensuring responsible decisions and in the subsequent solid execution of each project. In addition to resource management and consolidation of alliances and agreements to advance aid with the necessary safety and sustainability criteria.
Regarding the official balance of the damages in the national territory, the Foundation explained that the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) recorded more than 300 deaths, more than 30,000 homes destroyedmore than 137,000 homes with damage and at least 471 municipalities in 15 departments affected due to the strong earthquake that had as its epicenter San José del Palmarin Chocó, the past August 10.
Ana Lucía Pineda, first lady of the Republic. Photo:Sergio Cardenas
The actions of the Foundation in the two phases to face the emergency in Colombia
In phase one of safeguarding lives, the campaign ‘Colombia, one heart’, that was born as a calling to convert solidarity into concrete actions, achievement:
- 5,652.2 tons of aid mobilized.
- More than 48,000 people served.
- 80 municipalities reached.
- More than 1,250 volunteers.
- More than 30 collection centers in operation.
- More than 100 companies and allied entities.
- 24 transport and logistics allies.
- 6 prioritized infrastructures.
In the report It was determined that this campaign managed to mobilize and unite different sectors around the same purpose and in a few days the volunteer network was activated and the first collection points were installed.
Regarding emotional and psychological support for those most affected, also It was said that around 600 professionals joined volunteers with more than 4,500 virtual appointments which included the following areas of attention:
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress.
- Anxiety and emotional crises.
- Emotional regulation.
- Psychological first aid.
- Child and adolescent psychology.
- Guidance for parents and caregivers.
- Family therapy.
- Grief, loss and traumatic losses.
Rescue of earthquake victims in the Vanessa building, in Cali. Photo:Jaiver Nieto. THE TIME
Regarding the second phase of reconstruction, Ana Lucía Pineda assured that “is not limited to housing solutions, but rather includes the infrastructure intended for the provision of essential services for the community”.
“The Foundation has had specialized technical advice and has signed alliances with companies with recognized experience in the construction sector, with the purpose of guaranteeing that each work is carried out on safe grounds and meets the quality standards required by beneficiary families and communities,” was pointed out.
READ ALSO
Removal of debris in Cali after the earthquake. Photo:Jaiver Nieto Álvarez.
So far these months, already Six institutions in Cali were prioritizedaffected by the telluric movement.
- Carlos Holmes Trujillo Hospital.
- IPS Meléndez.
- IE John Paul II.
- Institute for Children, the Blind and the Deaf.
- IE Eustaquio Palacios.
- IE Carlos Holguín Mallarino.
In the document It was emphasized that “studies and designs are developed progressively to specify the solutions, budgets and execution conditions of each intervention”.
The Colombia Luz y Sonrisas Foundation joined the initiative, receiving, managing and channeling resources for $54,589,523,791 “coming from donations from natural and legal personsbeing the main donation made by the Gilinski Family, equivalent to 81% with a specified destination.”
To date, administrative expenses amount to $11,916,639, so the resources remain available and “are subject to the specific destinations defined by donors according to the progress of each project“.
Luisa Fernanda Gutiérrez Henao
LATEST NEWS EDITORIAL
