Colombia (MNN) — Less than two months after twin earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck neighboring Colombia on.

The August 10 quake has leveled buildings in Cali, Manizales, and Pereira, among other cities and towns. By Tuesday, more than 3,800 people had been reported missing on a civilian website. Colombia’s newly inaugurated president announced the death toll had reached 181 — though that will rise as rescue efforts continue.

Estela Ferrucho is the director of RTM Colombia, a Spanish branch of TWR. Speaking through a translator, she says the earthquake’s impact was not concentrated in one location but spread out. Unlike the Venezuela quakes which hit close to the surface, the quake on Monday came at a depth of 96 kilometers. That meant its intensity was less than that of Venezuela’s 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes, but its reach would be more widespread. 

The most urgent prayer request is for the survivors desperate for help. 

“Although the government is deploying aid, it is very, very difficult because they have to go in six different places. Sometimes people need help urgently, and they feel very desperate because they are waiting for that. Sometimes it’s not easy to respond immediately to each need of the affected people,” Ferrucho says through a translator. 

RTM Colombia’s team is shaken but fine. Their studio in Bogotá was not damaged in the tremors. Already they are developing new radio content in response to the tragedy. 

“They will interview pastors and specialists, Christian psychologists, to express messages of hope to Colombian people,” says Ferrucho.

Ferrucho describes Colombians as resilient and generous. “Many people, many citizens, have come together to help to do something after the disaster. This is the environment that Colombia is living today.”

Please pray for strong disaster-response leadership from Colombia’s new president, Abelardo de la Espriella, as well as from the government officials working with him. TWR’s director for Latin America, Maralina Alfonso, shared these additional prayer requests: 

“Ask God to grant peace and strength to those living in the hardest hit areas, and to calm their hearts amid the fear, anguish, and uncertainty they are facing,” says Maralina. “Ask God to give [leaders] wisdom, discernment, and the capacity to coordinate relief in the fairest, most efficient way, prioritizing those who need it most.”

Header photo of Colombia flag (Photo courtesy of Flavia Carpio via Unsplash)