When news of a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in western Colombia reached Elizabeth, local business leaders and community organizations moved quickly to turn concern into action. Within a day, volunteers had set up donation sites, secured warehouse space and started arranging transport by air and sea for thousands of pounds of supplies bound for communities hit hardest by the Aug. 10 temblor.
Community ties spur rapid response
David Orozco, 34, an Elizabeth resident and chief operating officer of Brisas Brands, said he began coordinating relief after confirming family members in Colombia were safe. Brisas Brands, which began as a small bakery in Elizabeth in 1998 and now supplies empanadas and arepas nationwide, used its business connections and local networks to mobilize the effort.
Orozco reached out to the Latin District Association, a coalition of business owners concentrated along Morris Avenue, and together they organized collection points across the city. Volunteers have been collecting medical supplies, nonperishable food, clothing and other essentials to be shipped to affected regions.
"I recorded a video announcing plans to mobilize Elizabeth’s Colombian and Latino communities," Orozco said, according to local reporting.
Scale of the disaster and the response
The Aug. 10 earthquake struck near the department of Chocó and caused damage across a wide swath of western Colombia, including parts of Cali, Pereira and the country's coffee-growing region. Colombian authorities reported at least 281 deaths, nearly 4,000 injuries and hundreds still missing as rescue operations continued.
Orozco’s family connections span the affected areas: his mother lives in Medellín, and other relatives are from the coffee region between Cali and Medellín. After confirming his immediate family was safe, he focused on helping communities where damage to homes and infrastructure has been widespread.
Logistics: warehouses, donation sites and shipping
Organizers in Elizabeth prioritized solving logistical challenges, particularly how to move large quantities of donated items to Colombia. Within roughly 24 hours, the group had:
- Established multiple donation sites in Elizabeth
- Secured warehouse space to sort and store supplies
- Coordinated shipment options by air and sea to reach affected regions in Colombia
Brisas Brands' experience as a supplier and its existing distribution relationships were important in lining up transportation and storage. The company also has products sold at venues such as Red Bull Arena, reflecting a broader logistical footprint that organizers say helped accelerate the relief effort.
Local impact and ongoing needs
For many Elizabeth residents with family ties to Colombia, the disaster prompted immediate calls for action. The drive has become a focal point for the city’s Colombian and Latino communities, channeling donations and volunteer time into a coordinated relief pipeline.
| Item | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Earthquake magnitude | 7.4 |
| Reported deaths (Colombia) | 281 |
| Reported injuries (Colombia) | Nearly 4,000 |
Organizers say additional help will be needed in the coming days as assessments continue and communities identify longer-term recovery needs. The immediate focus remains on collecting and shipping supplies, but leaders in Elizabeth said they are also discussing how to coordinate donations with reputable on-the-ground partners in Colombia to ensure aid reaches the hardest-hit communities.
As rescue and recovery efforts proceed in Colombia, the effort out of Elizabeth underscores how immigrant communities and small businesses can leverage local networks for international relief. For many here, mobilizing supplies is both a humanitarian response and a way to stay connected to family and home during a crisis.
