The designated ambassador of Colombia in Spain, Carlos Felipe Mejía, through his Instagram account, has asked all Colombians in Spain who wish to show solidarity with the families affected by the earthquake not to give money or aid to individuals or intermediaries, in order to avoid scams.
Mejía informs in his latest message that through #ColombiaUnSoloCorazón —the campaign led by the First Lady, Ana Lucía Pineda; the wife of the Vice President, Tatiana Cespedes; and the women’s movement ‘Tigresas de la Patria’— they will find links to the “three official accounts set up to receive donations” to help the families affected by the earthquake.
The accounts correspond to Fundación Colombia Luz y Sonrisas; the Corporation Organization El Minuto de Dios; and ABACO.
The ambassador adds in his message that “every contribution must have traceability, certification, and public accountability. The solidarity of our compatriots deserves absolute transparency.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported yesterday that 164 Spaniards have still not been located since the earthquake occurred at 7:34 AM local time (seven hours ahead in Spain) near the town of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, in northwestern Colombia, and which has so far left at least 240 dead.
The Consulate General provided through social media the emergency phone line 123 for emergencies, as well as the consular emergency phone (+57 316 4733216, for Spaniards only) and the Consulate’s email (cog.bogota@maec.es).
