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Sports Mobilize for Colombia, from Rescue to International Solidarity
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Disasters & Emergencies

Sports Mobilize for Colombia, from Rescue to International Solidarity

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Colombian athletes are actively participating in earthquake relief efforts, from clearing debris to organizing donations.
  • International sports figures and clubs have sent messages of support and financial aid.
  • The 7.4 magnitude earthquake on August 10th has caused over 265 deaths and widespread destruction.

Colombian athletes are mobilizing in the wake of a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on August 10th, leaving over 265 dead and causing extensive damage. The response spans local rescue efforts to international solidarity from sports figures and clubs worldwide.

One thing is to see it from afar and another to live it, to feel it.

— Walmer PachecoDescribing his experience joining rescue efforts after the earthquake.

Within Colombia, athletes are directly involved in emergency operations. In Pereira, one of the hardest-hit cities, Walmer Pacheco, captain of Deportivo Pereira, joined rescue and debris removal efforts despite being away with his team at the time of the quake. He is also spearheading a donation drive.

Gustavo Sánchez, a world and Central American and Caribbean Games medalist in artistic swimming, volunteered as a rescuer in Cali, another heavily impacted city. He expressed his heartbreak over the loss of homes and loved ones and is using videos to encourage more donations.

What we are experiencing in Cali is too sad. Yesterday I was there until five in the morning trying to help as much as I could. Seeing so many families who lost their loved ones and their homes breaks my heart completely.

— Gustavo SánchezExpressing his distress and motivation for seeking donations after the earthquake.

Colombian footballers abroad are also contributing significantly. Jhon Arias of Brazil's Palmeiras funded a medical supply flight to his home region of Chocó, the earthquake's epicenter, and set up donation accounts. Jhon Córdoba of Russia's Krasnodar also sent a plane with aid to his hometown and surrounding areas, noting his family was safe but suffered material damage.

Every bit of help counts, we receive it with much affection and gratitude. It is time to be united and to trust that everything will improve as soon as possible, and to turn things around, as always, from bad times.

— Jhon AriasAppealing for donations and expressing hope for recovery.

From Germany, Bayern Munich forward Luis Díaz has used his social media to call for donations and activated his foundation to channel aid. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "No matter where we are, we can all do something to help, in the end, we all wear the same jersey."

No matter where we are, we can all do something to help, in the end, we all wear the same jersey.

— Luis DíazEncouraging global support for earthquake victims in Colombia.
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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