Credit: World Central Kitchen / WCK. org
statistics agency, which is responsible for planning, collecting, processing, analyzing, and publishing the country’ s official statistics.
But Chocóanos do not describe their region through what they lack.
When the earthquake hit, Palacios said they turned to the one thing they have always had: each other. Neighbors embraced strangers in the streets. Families searched for their loved ones and the loved ones of others. And members of the Chocóano diaspora organized from abroad.
In Maryland, Conto helped connect community leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and others interested in sending assistance. She said the members of the Colombian diaspora in Washington D. C. organized donations and humanitarian aid, including more than 13 tons of supplies and at least $ 10,000 to $ 15,000 in financial contributions for organizations working in Chocó and across Colombia. The Red Cross likewise described an outpouring of solidarity from Colombians and people abroad. It distributed food, hygiene and water supplies, mattresses, bedding and other emergency assistance while deploying mobile medical teams.
But the immediate response is only the beginning.“ Now we are reaching a process of stability and later we will start reconstruction, which will not be easy,” said Alvarez Flores.
For Palacios, reconstruction means more than repairing the cracks left by the earthquake. It means strengthening hospitals, improving schools, and making it possible to treat patients locally instead of having to transfer them to more distant medical facilities.
Palacios worries deeply for her patients. She said those needing specialized treatment can face a difficult choice, and those without money may be unable to travel for care.“ If you don’ t have resources to leave and get better care, you have to stay here waiting for death,” said Palacios, her voice shaking.
Weeks after the earthquake, Palacios said the fear has not disappeared. Her daughter still goes to daycare, but the experience changed how Palacios feels when she watches her leave home.
“ I have thoughts of something happening again,” she said.“ We are living in fear.”
When Palacios remembers these painful moments, She is motivated not by fear, but instead by the resilience of her community.
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