Humanitarian aid, including from footballer Jhon Arias, reaches earthquake victims

Humanitarian aid is reaching Quibdó, Colombia, the city hardest hit by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck on Monday. The aid is arriving in a critical race against time to support thousands of victims who have been displaced from their homes.

Tatiana Céspedes, wife of Colombian Vice President José Manuel Restrepo, highlighted the incredible mobilization of citizens, stating that collection centers in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali are continuously receiving donations. "Colombians have mobilized in an incredible way. All the collection centers we have in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali do not stop receiving aid, but now is not the time to stop," she told EFE.

Approximately 18 tons of food, blankets, hygiene kits, and other essential supplies have arrived in Quibdó. This aid is part of a campaign led by the nation's First Lady, Ana Lucía Pineda, with Medellín serving as the primary logistics hub. The vice president's wife emphasized the urgent need for five new shelters, one in Quibdó and four in other municipalities, requiring more hygiene kits, kitchenware, bedding, and mosquito nets. Among the significant contributions is aid coordinated by Palmeiras and Colombian national team footballer Jhon Arias, a native of Quibdó. Arias has sent three planes loaded with supplies, including medical personnel and sanitary materials on the first flight, followed by food and hygiene kits on the subsequent two. Sources close to the player confirmed he has sent about 2.5 tons of humanitarian aid, collected through a campaign with his wife, Alejandra Ayala. A fourth plane and a truckload of additional donations, financed by Arias, are expected soon.