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- Press Release
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- admin
- Press Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - August 13, 2026 - As rescue operations continue following the devastating earthquake in Colombia, the Cultural Awareness Fund, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has launched an urgent relief effort focused on two immediate needs: monetary donations and equipment capable of helping rescuers remove concrete, rubble and structural debris from collapsed buildings.
Across affected areas of Colombia, rescue crews, volunteers and residents are working through the remains of collapsed structures searching for survivors. For the Cultural Awareness Fund and its community partners, the priorities of this effort have been shaped directly by lessons learned during the recent Venezuela earthquake relief operation.
That experience demonstrated that traditional humanitarian supplies such as food, clothing and personal-care items are important, but the first hours and days following a major earthquake present a different and extraordinarily urgent problem:
People must first be reached.
When buildings have collapsed and people may still be trapped beneath concrete and structural debris, rescuers need equipment capable of cutting, breaking, lifting and removing that material.
For that reason, the Cultural Awareness Fund and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are placing particular emphasis on obtaining financial contributions and rescue-related equipment that can assist in reaching victims trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Requested Rescue Equipment
- Rotary hammer drills, preferably cordless
- Reciprocating saws
- Concrete cutters and cut-off saws
- Concrete-cutting blades and discs
- Oscillating tools
- Heavy-duty chains
- Hand hoists
- Sledgehammers, mauls and axes
- Hammers and demolition hand tools
- Portable work lights
- Extension cords
- Flashlights and portable lighting
- Safety glasses and protective goggles
- N95 masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment
- Batteries and related supplies
A continually updated list of requested equipment and relief supplies is available at: https://www.letstalkcolombia.com.
Monetary Donations Are a Priority
The Cultural Awareness Fund and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are also asking individuals, businesses and organizations to consider making monetary donations to the Colombia relief effort.
Financial contributions provide the relief effort with the flexibility to respond to needs as they are identified, including obtaining urgently needed equipment, tools and supplies rather than waiting for specific items to be donated.
Supporters wishing to make a financial contribution can access Colombia relief donation information through: https://www.letstalkcolombia.com.
"Venezuela taught us an important lesson about what is needed in the first stages of an earthquake response," said William J. Sanchez of the Cultural Awareness Fund. "Food, clothing and humanitarian supplies matter tremendously, but when someone is beneath a collapsed building, the immediate need is the equipment that allows rescuers to reach them."
"We are applying what we learned during the Venezuela relief effort to Colombia," Sanchez continued. "Our priority is getting the tools and resources into the hands of the people who are trying to remove concrete and rubble from collapsed structures. Every hour matters when someone may still be underneath."
The Cultural Awareness Fund's Venezuela relief effort demonstrated how quickly a community-based response can grow when businesses, nonprofit organizations, volunteers and individuals each contribute what they can.
Collection locations were established across Central Florida, supplies were consolidated, transportation was coordinated and relief aid was moved toward affected communities through the cooperation of people and organizations that often had no previous relationship with one another.
Those lessons are now being applied to the Colombia response through a partnership between the Cultural Awareness Fund and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, along with participating businesses, organizations, volunteers and members of the community.
Rather than beginning only with a broad collection of humanitarian supplies, organizers are placing immediate attention on the resources most directly associated with reaching people trapped in collapsed buildings.
"This is not about one organization doing everything," Sanchez said. "It is about identifying what is needed, finding who has it, and connecting those resources as quickly as possible. That is what worked during the Venezuela effort, and that is the model we are applying again."
How the Community Can Help
The relief effort is asking the public to help in three principal ways:
Donate financially.
Monetary contributions allow the relief effort to respond quickly as specific equipment and supply needs are identified.
Donate needed equipment and tools.
Equipment capable of cutting, breaking, lifting or removing concrete and structural debris is among the highest priorities.
Share the effort.
Individuals are encouraged to share LetsTalkColombia.com with businesses, organizations and others who may have equipment, financial resources or supplies that can help.
Traditional humanitarian supplies are also being collected at participating locations throughout Central Florida. Current drop-off locations and the most recent list of needed items are maintained on the relief website.
Needs will change as rescue and recovery operations progress. Donors are encouraged to visit the website before purchasing or delivering supplies.
Download and Share the Colombia Relief Flyer
The public, businesses, organizations and community groups are encouraged to download and distribute the official Colombia relief flyer: https://www.letstalkcolombia.com/relief-flyer.pdf.
The flyer may be shared electronically, posted on social media, printed for distribution, or displayed at participating businesses and organizations.
Current Relief Information
The website provides:
- Current equipment needs
- Requested relief supplies
- Monetary donation information
- Drop-off locations
- Relief coordinators
- Participating organizations
- Contact information and continuing updates
Media and Relief Coordination Contacts
William J. Sanchez
Cultural Awareness Fund
786-942-4449
LetsTalkColombia.com
CulturalAwarenessFund.com
Maria D. Trent
Director
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Cultural Awareness Fund and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are partnering in the Colombia earthquake relief effort, working with businesses, organizations, volunteers and members of the Central Florida community to identify and deliver resources where they are most urgently needed.
Cultural Awareness Fund, Inc. is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
fundraising initiatives for scouting organizations, and advances international humanitarian outreach, including programs benefiting orphans in Uganda. His work reflects a belief that education, service, and shared cultural experiences are essential to building resilient and compassionate communities.
