Following the powerful earthquake — magnitude 7.4 — that struck western Colombia on Monday, the South America Northwest Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement of love and solidarity for the Colombian people.
“We are deeply saddened for the people impacted by the recent earthquake in Colombia,” wrote Elder Juan Pablo Villar, Elder Sandino Roman and Elder Steven C. Barlow of the South America Northwest Area Presidency in a statement published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
“We express our love to all the families and communities affected by this earthquake.”
The powerful earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday morning, leaving widespread destruction in Cali, Colombia, and other cities.
As of Tuesday, the earthquake has killed at least 181 people and injured approximately 2,595 more, The Associated Press has reported. At least 195 others remain missing, but civilian-run databases suggest that number could be closer to 4,000.
The Church of Jesus Christ “is working in coordination with government agencies and other organizations to provide all the assistance and support needed for those affected,” the church leaders — all General Authority Seventies living in the church’s South America Northwest Area — wrote.
“We pray that families may be reunited and that, during these difficult times, they will find the strength and comfort that only Jesus Christ can provide.”
