Colombian community in Colorado Springs responds to deadly earthquake

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- An earthquake in Colombia has left more than 100 people dead and damaged hundreds of buildings, sending shockwaves through the growing Colombian population in Colorado Springs.

The earthquake caused devastation in Colombia’s capital city of Bogota as well as Cali, with shaking felt across the nation. Though thousands of miles away, the impacts of the disaster are being felt in Southern Colorado as local residents monitor the situation from afar.

"There's a lot of people who do not know whether their family is alive or not," Dr. Bridget Guerrero is the founder of One World Quest, an organization that provides resources to the Colombian community in Colorado Springs said.

Guerrero has family in Cali, which was one of the cities hardest hit by the earthquake.

“I was able to get a hold of them fairly quickly, so the anguish was less than 10 to 15 minutes, I would say,” Guerrero said. “But I can’t even imagine for all the people that’s still right now, at this time, have not been able to get a hold of their families. Natural disasters... no one can predict that this happens. But when you don’t know if your family’s alive or or not, then the uncertainty is is the the worst part.”

The earthquake comes as Colorado Springs sees a growing Colombian population. Last month, the city held the first-ever Parcero Fest to celebrate Colombian culture, drawing hundreds of attendees.

Guerrero has been speaking with many members of the local Colombian community following the disaster to let them know they can lean on one another.

“Even though Colombia is thousands of miles away and, you know, we’re so far away from our other family, there is a family here that they can count on,” Guerrero said.

Those who want to help out can visit One World Quest's website here.

Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.