ACN Aid to the Church in Need will remain in constant contact with the bishops and local Churches over the coming hours to determine the extent of the emergency and respond to any needs identified. As is typical in so many disaster situations, the Church is one of the first places of refuge for affected communities. From the initial hours following the earthquake, parishes, priests, religious sisters, and the faithful have begun accompanying families, offering shelter, comfort, and spiritual support. ACN invites all its friends and benefactors to join in prayer for Colombia and for everyone affected by this earthquake. The charity is also preparing to support the emergency response through the Church once the assessment of the most urgent needs across the affected dioceses is completed. This natural disaster struck less than two months after two consecutive earthquakes devastated large parts of neighboring Venezuela. Generous ACN benefactors from multiple countries have enabled ACN to continuously support the local Church to deal with the fallout. ACN is currently visiting Caracas and the other affected dioceses in the country, to plan its support in the coming months, including the reconstruction of severely damaged church buildings. Aid to the Church in Need is already mobilizing to assess the damage and the needs of the affected communities and to prepare an aid package that will go where it is most needed. We have a national office in Colombia and we are very happy to report that everyone is safe. Chocó is one of Colombia’s poorest provinces, and one that ACN has consistently supported in recent years. Initial contact with the local dioceses confirms widespread damage to parishes in the region. We are in full solidarity with the Church in Colombia and have already approved an emergency fund to address the most immediate needs. Today we ask you to join us in prayer for Colombia: for the affected families, for those working on the emergency response, for the rescue workers, and for those missing and their families. We also offer our prayers for the deceased, and for our priests, religious sisters, and church communities who are accompanying their people today. And, if you can, please give to those hurting today. 100% of your gift will provide emergency aid to our brothers and sisters in Colombia. May God bless you for your compassion and kindness, and may He bless the people of Colombia. | 
