Asocolflores and Optimus Flowers support 190 families affected by earthquake

Following the earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, the Colombian flower industry has continued working to support affected families and communities, moving from immediate humanitarian assistance towards initiatives that contribute to longer-term recovery. During the first phase of the response, Asocolflores and its member companies mobilized more than 16,000 essential items, equivalent to nearly four tons of humanitarian aid. The donations included food, water, hygiene products, medical supplies and other essential goods, which were delivered through the “Colombia, un solo corazón” initiative. Several flower companies also carried out their own campaigns, made financial contributions and coordinated assistance with foundations and local organizations.

As part of the next stage of this effort, Asocolflores, in partnership with Optimus Flowers, delivered home garden kits to 190 families in the rural communities of La Florida, La Bananera Alta, Combia and Morelia, in Pereira, Risaralda. The initiative was made possible through a global fundraising campaign led by Optimus Flowers, a United Kingdom-based company dedicated to the wholesale import and distribution of flowers and foliage. Following the earthquake, the company mobilized members of the international floral community to raise funds for Colombian families affected by the disaster. The resources collected through the campaign were managed locally by Asocolflores.

© Asocolflores

Together, Optimus Flowers and Asocolflores evaluated how the funds could create a meaningful impact beyond the immediate emergency. They decided to invest them in home gardens that would provide families with materials and practical knowledge to grow food, strengthen self-consumption and support their recovery over time.

Each family received horticultural and medicinal plant seedlings, together with one kilogram of fertilizer, providing them with the basic resources needed to establish a garden at home and make productive use of available spaces. Asocolflores coordinated the local implementation and complemented the delivery with technical training on preparing the growing areas, conditioning the soil, establishing the gardens and caring for the seedlings. Through this practical knowledge, participating families will be better equipped to maintain their gardens and continue growing food beyond the initial delivery.

© Asocolflores

The partnership demonstrates how the international relationships built around Colombian flowers can be transformed into concrete support for the country. Optimus Flowers brought together the solidarity of the global floral community, while Asocolflores contributed its local knowledge, agricultural expertise and capacity to turn those resources into an initiative that responds directly to the needs of rural families.

© Asocolflores

Asocolflores continues to monitor the needs of affected families and communities and to coordinate initiatives that contribute to their recovery and wellbeing. The partnership with Optimus Flowers is part of the flower industry’s commitment to turning solidarity into concrete and sustainable actions with the potential to improve families’ lives beyond the emergency. It also reflects a broader dimension of Flowers of Colombia: beyond producing and exporting flowers, the knowledge, relationships and agricultural capabilities developed by the industry can contribute to strengthening communities and supporting Colombia’s recovery.