The short answer: the whole diaspora is on the move — concerts, vigils, fundraisers — and from London you can join in today through the verified channels, or set up your own collection properly. In London we haven't yet been able to verify any public event for the earthquake; this guide exists for both reasons: so you don't wait for one to appear, and so that if you organise it yourself, people can trust it.
Five days after the earthquake, the official consolidated UNGRD toll speaks of 287 people dead, 3,975 injured and 378 missing, with more than 135,000 affected across 437 municipalities in 15 departments (El Tiempo). And while rescue teams are still in the rubble, people have started doing what people know how to do.
What's already moving?
In Colombia: the Bogotá Philharmonic gave a benefit concert that doubled as a collection point (Bogotá City Hall), Medellín staged its own at La Macarena, and the national campaign keeps growing through the official channels you already know from our day-one guide.
Across the diaspora: candlelight vigils in Queens and San José (US), collections at Mass in Los Angeles, and a benefit concert with Feid, Carlos Vives and more artists whose proceeds go to Fundación PLAN with a focus on Chocó (Univision, Telemundo, Rolling Stone en Español).
And in London? The usual places — Elephant & Castle, the Pueblito Paisa in Seven Sisters, the Latin American Chaplaincy in Vauxhall — are where the community gathers and where whatever comes next will be born. If your parish, your team, your business or your association is organising something, tell us and, once verified, we'll announce it here: so anyone who wants to help knows where.
Want to run the fundraiser yourself? Make it one people can trust
No need to wait for anyone: a serious fundraiser can be set up in an afternoon. Four things separate a trustworthy collection from a suspicious one:
- A destination with a name and a registration. The money goes to a registered charity (Charity Commission number in plain sight) or to Colombia's official channels — never to anyone's personal account, not even yours. In Colombia there's already controversy over donations requested to personal accounts; don't let that be you, not even close.
- A platform that leaves a trail. JustGiving or GoFundMe pointing at a verified beneficiary — GoFundMe also runs an official hub of verified earthquake campaigns. No cash in envelopes, no transfers to mobile numbers.
- Clear accounts at the end. Publish how much was raised and the receipt showing where it went. A photo of the receipt is worth a thousand pretty words.
- An event beats a chain message. A sancocho night, a benefit salsa class, a football match: a fundraiser with a face works better — and the community gets to see itself, which this week matters too.
If you set it up like that, write to us: we'll verify it and add it to this page and our channels.
If you only have five minutes
The verified channels are still open: British Red Cross and UNICEF UK from here, the Colombian Red Cross and the authorised entities over there — all linked directly in the day-one guide. If it's for your family, yesterday's remittance guide saves you money along the way. And if you're looking for someone, the day-two step-by-step.
And the gesture that costs nothing: share this series in your groups with the button below. In a week like this, verified information is humanitarian aid too. The distance doesn't make us any less Colombian — this week least of all.
Figures as of 14 August 2026 (consolidated UNGRD toll). Organising a fundraiser or an event for Colombia in London? Tell us and, once verified, we'll announce it here.