- After the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on 10 August, 46-year-old local musician Andres Solomon has been offering free hugs to residents in the quake-hit Capri neighbourhood.
- Solomon sits beneath trees beside a cardboard sign reading "HUGS HERE" and "CHEER UP!", offering emotional support alongside material aid, listening to people and helping them release pain from what he calls a "collective trauma".
- His gesture has become a small but striking symbol of comfort amid rubble and twisted metal, as residents, volunteers, and community leaders gather nearby and rescue teams continue their work.
- On 13 August, Solomon said people needed to face the reality of the disaster together, just as volunteers worked side by side to remove rubble.
- Lyda Arias, president of Colombia's Evangelical Confederation, said the suffering was difficult to witness and called for both prayer and action.
Rescue operations continue in Cali, Colombia, after a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck on 10 August, resulting in at least 265 fatalities. The earthquake is noted as the strongest to hit Colombia this century, leaving communities grappling with profound loss and uncertainty.1
In the quake-hit Capri neighborhood, Andres Solomon, a 46-year-old local musician, has set up a station offering free hugs to residents. His initiative, marked by a sign reading "HUGS HERE", aims to provide emotional support alongside the material aid being delivered to the area. Solomon emphasizes the importance of facing the reality of the disaster together, stating, "We need to embrace each other and help release some of the pain".2
Solomon's simple yet impactful gesture has become a symbol of comfort amid the rubble, as residents, volunteers, and community leaders gather nearby. As rescue teams continue their search and recovery efforts, the emotional toll of the disaster is palpable. Lyda Arias, president of Colombia's Evangelical Confederation, remarked on the suffering, calling for both prayer and action to support those affected.5
The community's resilience is evident as they come together to navigate the aftermath of this tragic event, with Solomon's hugs serving as a reminder of the power of human connection in times of crisis.
“Solomon, 46, sits beneath trees with a cardboard sign reading 'HUGS HERE' and 'CHEER UP!', offering emotional support alongside material aid. Lyda Arias, president of Colombia's Evangelical Confederation, called the suffering difficult to witness and urged both prayer and action.”
