Relief efforts underway across NYC after powerful earthquake in Colombia
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Monday left around 1,600 buildings reported damaged or collapsed. More than 170 people have been reported dead and at least 3,000 people missing.
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Search-and-rescue efforts are underway in Colombia after a powerful earthquake rocked the country. Meanwhile, New Yorkers are stepping in to help those in need.
Videos online of that powerful earthquake have filled Diana Guardino with fear as she thinks of her family who live in Colombia.
"I'm waiting to speak to my father, which I heard through messages that he's OK," says Guardino, a community leader with the Colombian American Police Association (CAPA), "but I haven't been able to speak to him."
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Monday left around 1,600 buildings reported damaged or collapsed. More than 170 people have been reported dead and at least 3,000 people missing.
"Communication is tough. All I'm getting is messages, but I haven't been able to hear his voice, which is what I'm hoping for," Guardino said.
While she waits to hear back from her father, she is finding ways here at home to help, organizing with CAPA to collect donations to send to the damaged country.
Working alongside Guardino is Franklin Santana, owner of Praga Tapas Bar. His mom and family are also in Colombia.
"As soon as I got a hold of her, I could breathe. Thank God everybody was fine," Santana said, "but I started working on how to help everybody else."
Tapas is just one of more than a dozen locations across the city accepting donations, including new and unopened hygiene products, baby essentials and first aid supplies. They are asking for new and unopened items only.
In the Bronx, donations are being collected at "Bronx Foot Specialist" in Pelham Gardens.
In Brooklyn, there is an authorized drop-off at the medical center at 5 Debevoise Street in Williamsburg.
The full list of drop-offs can be found HERE.
"The most beautiful thing out of this whole disaster is seeing how all the countries come across to help us," Guardino said.
Donations are being accepted through Aug. 22.
