Standing With Colombia: Why We Show Up, Again and Again

At the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, we believe our role extends beyond business. We are advocates for the people and communities that make South Florida strong. That advocacy doesn't pause when disaster strikes; if anything, it's when it matters most.

This past June, we watched our Venezuelan community here in South Florida grieve as twin earthquakes devastated their homeland. And we watched our Chamber members respond — not with hesitation, but with action. Chamber member Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), working alongside partners including the We Love Foundation and the U.S. State Department, helped lead what became the largest private/public humanitarian response in Venezuela's history, committing more than $75 million toward Phase 1 emergency relief. To date, that response has shipped nearly 4.9 million pounds of aid and delivered more than $18.7 million in humanitarian assistance to affected communities. That work isn't finished, and neither is our commitment to it. GEM is preparing to launch shelter rebuilding programs in Venezuela this fall.

Now, Colombia Needs Us

Just over a month later, tragedy has struck again. On August 10, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the strongest Colombia has felt in a decade, tore through the western part of the country, killing more than 100 people and leaving thousands of families without homes.

The hardest-hit area, Chocó, is a Pacific coastal region that was already among Colombia's most under-resourced. For families there, this earthquake isn't just a disaster; it's a setback layered onto years of hardship.

We refuse to let that go unanswered. GEM has already deployed a team to Colombia, carrying forward the same partnerships, infrastructure, and resolve that carried Venezuela's relief effort forward just weeks earlier.

This Is Who We Are

Advocacy, to us, isn't just policy and partnerships; it's showing up for our neighbors when they need us most. It's a Chamber community that doesn't ask "again?" but instead asks "how?"

How You Can Help

• Donate: Financial contributions give GEM the flexibility to source and distribute food, water, and hygiene kits locally in Colombia. DONATE HERE
• Give supplies: GEM is prioritizing first aid supplies, tents, and blankets for displaced families. Drop-offs are accepted at GEM's Doral headquarters, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For a list of requested donation items, view GEM's Immediate Needs List.
• Volunteer: Shifts are open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–4 p.m., also at GEM's Doral headquarters.

Twice in two months, South Florida has been called to stand with our neighbors. Twice, we've answered. On behalf of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce — thank you for who you continue to be for this community, and for communities far beyond it.

(Source: US Geological Survey, Graphic: Jhasua Razo, CNN)