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Colombian singer Jhonny Rivera offers farm to shelter elderly after earthquake
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Disasters & Emergencies

Colombian singer Jhonny Rivera offers farm to shelter elderly after earthquake

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Colombian singer Jhonny Rivera opened his farm in Pereira to temporarily house a dozen elderly residents whose homes were damaged by a recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake.
  • The earthquake, the strongest in Colombia in 25 years, affected several departments, with the situation for the elderly worsened by post-quake rains damaging already compromised structures.
  • Rivera's initiative, which also involved his mother and staff preparing the farm, adds to the widespread solidarity efforts following the disaster that has caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.

Colombian singer Jhonny Rivera has opened his farm in Pereira to provide temporary shelter for about a dozen elderly individuals displaced by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake. The quake, the strongest to hit Colombia in a quarter-century, caused widespread damage across several departments, with the Pacific coastal region near the epicenter particularly affected.

More than a shelter, it's a hug, a moment to accompany them and remind them they are not alone.

— Jhonny RiveraThe Colombian singer explained his motivation for opening his farm to earthquake victims on Instagram.

Rivera's farm is offering a safe haven as the elderly residents' original accommodations were damaged not only by the earthquake but also by subsequent rains that exacerbated the structural issues. Those responsible for the seniors had been searching for a secure location when they contacted Rivera.

I'll take them to the farm.

— María Mabel ValenciaRivera's mother's reaction upon learning about the elderly residents' plight, as recounted by one of the caregivers.

Initially, they inquired about accommodation at Rivera's hotel, which he had announced would serve as a temporary shelter and collection point for aid. However, the hotel was already occupied by rescue workers. Rivera's mother, María Mabel Valencia, then decided to welcome the group to their family farm, turning it into a temporary refuge.

I hope they feel at home with us.

— Farm workerA woman working on Rivera's farm expressed her hope for the comfort of the elderly residents in a video.

"More than a shelter, it's a hug, a moment to accompany them and remind them they are not alone," Rivera stated on Instagram. Staff at the farm have prepared beds and living spaces for the new arrivals. Rivera's humanitarian efforts extend beyond housing; while on tour in the United States, he visited an aid collection point with his wife, encouraging continued donations for those affected by the disaster.

If you want to keep bringing aid to the hotel, there are many people there who are ready to help.

— Jhonny RiveraRivera's statement encouraging continued donations to the aid collection point at his hotel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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