Proantioquia companies donate 200 billion pesos for reconstruction

On August 18, 2026, companies comprising Proantioquia, a corporate foundation, announced a donation of 200 billion pesos for the country's reconstruction. The funds will be allocated to assist areas affected by the earthquake that struck on August 10.

President Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed the news after speaking by phone with Juan Carlos Mora, chairman of the foundation's board of directors. De la Espriella shared the information on his X account, highlighting the contribution to address the tragedy and national reconstruction.

The magnitude of the emergency

The donation comes amid a major emergency. According to Abelardo de la Espriella, the reconstruction of the regions hit by the August 10 earthquake—which most severely affected Chocó, Valle del Cauca, Risaralda, Quindío, and Caldas—could cost approximately 30 trillion pesos. Of this total, about 24.5 trillion corresponds to losses in buildings and 5.5 trillion to infrastructure. The president emphasized that this is a preliminary estimate, subject to adjustments as damage assessments are completed in each region.

The "Miracle Reconstruction Plan"

To coordinate the reconstruction phase, President Abelardo de la Espriella appointed the Minister of Housing, Jaime Andrés Beltrán, to lead the "Plan Milagro de Reconstrucción" (Miracle Reconstruction Plan). This strategy aims to integrate the National Government with construction companies, the financial sector, insurers, and the governors and mayors of the affected areas. "First it was about saving lives, now we must care for those who lost everything and begin reconstruction," De la Espriella stated.

Support measures and appeal to the private sector

Among the announced actions for families who lost their homes are rental subsidies, utility bill relief, and a new housing and improvement program called "Vivienda Milagro." The president also called on builders to join housing projects in the affected areas and asked the financial sector to lower interest rates to facilitate families' rebuilding or purchasing of new homes.

Proantioquia and its background

Proantioquia brings together several companies in the country, including Grupo Argos, Grupo Bancolombia, Grupo Sura, Grupo Nutresa, Grupo Éxito, Celsia, ISA, Isagen, Postobón, Coltabaco, Fabricato, and Renault-Sofasa, in addition to dozens of others from sectors such as construction, energy, finance, industry, and services. The foundation has a nearly five-decade history of involvement in social and development initiatives, such as supporting the construction of the José María Córdova Airport and studies for the Medellín Metro in the 1970s, and consolidating entities like Cornare and Inexmoda in the 1980s. In the 1990s, it participated in the creation of the Colfuturo Foundation and organizations focused on the post-conflict era.

One of the first concrete gestures

The donation by Proantioquia companies represents one of the first concrete gestures by the private sector of Antioquia toward the reconstruction fund. The government seeks to consolidate this fund using public, private, and international cooperation resources.

With information from El Colombiano.