Thousands of families in Colombia are facing the unimaginable.
The devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake has struck communities across Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Quibdó and surrounding areas. Lives have been lost, homes and businesses destroyed, and entire families have seen everything they built disappear in a matter of moments.
And for those who survived, the emergency is only beginning.
Greek Reporter is launching this fundraiser to give Greeks, Greek Americans, members of the diaspora, philhellenes and people everywhere that know what philotimo means, a secure, direct and transparent way to help families affected by the disaster. Donate now by visiting our campaign on GoFundMe.
What makes this effort different is simple: We are on the ground.
Greek Reporter has crews in Colombia who can identify families in genuine need, meet them personally and make sure the assistance reaches them directly.
Our commitment is that the funds raised will be distributed as direct financial assistance to families who have lost their homes and livelihoods via a check from our bank directly to their name.
We will publish the records, as we have done in the past for wildfire victims in Greece.
We will show you via a facebook live exactly where your money goes.
We intend to document the distribution of the funds, report publicly on the amounts delivered, and share the process with our audience. We will broadcast the effort from Colombia so donors can see the impact of their contributions for themselves.
Transparency is not an afterthought. It is part of the fundraiser.
Greek Reporter has stepped forward during major humanitarian crises before around the globe, including disasters in Greece, and has helped organizations all the way from the US to africa and India. Over the last 10 years we have contributed more than $1 million in financial support, services and assistance to charitable and humanitarian causes.
Now Colombia needs help.
A donation cannot rebuild an entire city. But it can help a family find temporary shelter. Replace essential belongings. Buy food and medicine. Give parents who have lost their home a little breathing room while they begin building again.
For the Greek community, there is a word that captures the spirit behind this effort: philotimo — the instinct to help another human being because it is simply the right thing to do.
This is philotimo in action with transparency.
If thousands of us give what we can — you know who you are, we can put meaningful help directly into the hands of families whose lives have been shattered.
Please donate. Please share this fundraiser. And help us show the people of Colombia that they are not alone.
Thank you for your consideration to support us in this mission!
Donate now by visiting our campaign on GoFundMe.
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