Colombian bar Alquímico has reported material damage to its farm in Filandia following the severe earthquake which struck the country on Monday morning.
While the farm suffered physical damage, no staff or family members were harmed.
“The team at the farm is fine. We’ve only suffered material damage,” said founder Jean Trinh. “The whole coffee-growing region has been badly affected, as have other nearby areas, because they have no electricity, water or internet, and many airports and roads are closed.
“My car is full of food and other things and I’m waiting for the roads to reopen so I can drive there and help out directly. Once I’m there, I hope it will be easier to tell you how best to help.”
Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia, was ranked 11 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 and it has a separate farm based in the heart of the coffee growing region where the earthquake was strongest.
The earthquake hit the Chocó province at 07:34 on Monday with a magnitude of 7.4 with a death toll of 132 at time of writing, largely concentrated in the city of Pereira.
Trinh provided an update on 12 August: “Upon arriving in Colombia’s Coffee Region, in Pereira, you can see that many people have lost their homes, and aid has still not reached them.
“They have no running water, no electricity, no access to roads, and no means of communication. They are unable to move around because gasoline is extremely difficult to find, and there are no stores where they can buy food.
“I will personally go every day to deliver aid directly to the Embera Chamí community, whom we have been supporting for years by purchasing the handmade necklaces crafted by dozens of their families.
“Support will help us provide food, water, and other essential supplies to the 36 families affected, as well as their relatives who are currently staying in an Indigenous reserve that is home to thousands of people,” Trinh continued.
If you would like to donate please visit https://linktr.ee/alquimicocartagena, with more information available @alquimicocartegena on Instagram.
