BBVA Supports Colombia Earthquake Relief With Donation, Fundraising and Service Measures

BBVA Supports Colombia Earthquake Relief With Donation, Fundraising and Service Measures

(IN BRIEF) BBVA has announced a €2 million donation to support urgent humanitarian needs, recovery and reconstruction in areas of Colombia affected by the earthquake, with funds channelled through UNHCR, UNICEF and Empresas Unidas por Colombia, an initiative led by ANDI and the ANDI Foundation. The contribution forms part of a broader emergency response that includes the distribution of 3,500 food and hygiene kits through the Bogotá Food Bank network, fundraising campaigns among customers and employees in Colombia and Spain, enabled donations through more than 1,400 BBVA ATMs in Colombia, donation options via Bizum and bank transfers in Spain, and the temporary waiver of fees on individual transfers between Spain and Colombia. BBVA is also supporting its 479 employees in the affected areas and their families, while working to restore branch operations, with 25 of 40 branches in the area already operating and digital channels continuing to function normally throughout the emergency.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILBAO, 19-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — BBVA has announced a €2 million donation to support urgent humanitarian assistance, recovery and reconstruction efforts in areas of Colombia affected by the earthquake.

The funds will be channelled through UNHCR, UNICEF and Empresas Unidas por Colombia, an initiative led by the National Business Association of Colombia, known as ANDI.

BBVA has also launched fundraising campaigns among customers and employees in Colombia and Spain, while introducing additional support measures for affected communities, employees and customers.

Carlos Torres Vila, Chair of BBVA, said that in an emergency of this scale, the bank’s priority is to support people.

He said BBVA is mobilising resources to respond to urgent needs and help affected communities recover, working with organisations that have the capacity to operate on the ground and drawing on the solidarity of employees and customers in Colombia and Spain.

The funds allocated to UNHCR will support measures including shelter for families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, the distribution of emergency supplies, and protection and assistance for the most vulnerable people.

UNICEF will strengthen its response for children and adolescents, including emergency support as well as the rebuilding and repair of schools so that children can continue learning during the emergency.

BBVA will also join Empresas Unidas por Colombia, the initiative led by ANDI and the ANDI Foundation to coordinate the Colombian business sector’s response.

The initiative will support recovery and reconstruction work in the worst-hit areas, with a particular focus on school infrastructure.

A broader emergency response

The €2 million contribution forms part of a wider response that BBVA began deploying after the earthquake.

The response is designed to support affected communities, assist employees and their families, mobilise help from customers and employees, and maintain financial services in the impacted areas.

As an initial emergency measure, BBVA provided 3,500 food and hygiene kits, distributed through the food bank network coordinated by the Bogotá Food Bank.

Fundraising support in Colombia and Spain

BBVA Group has launched fundraising campaigns among customers and employees in both Colombia and Spain.

In Colombia, the bank has started a fundraising campaign in collaboration with Solidaridad por Colombia.

It has also enabled its network of more than 1,400 ATMs so that customers and employees can make donations and support the relief effort.

In Spain, people wishing to contribute can donate through the BBVA app using Bizum, by selecting charitable donations and entering the code for the relevant NGO.

Donations can also be made by bank transfer to the designated UNICEF and UNHCR accounts or in person at any BBVA branch.

BBVA in Spain has also temporarily waived fees and charges for individual customers on transfers sent and received between Spain and Colombia.

Support for employees and continuity of services

Since the start of the emergency, BBVA in Colombia has been closely monitoring the situation of 479 employees working in the affected areas and their families.

Alongside ongoing assistance and psychosocial support, the bank has provided basic necessities, including food and hygiene products.

BBVA will also assess the needs of affected employees and their families to determine what additional support may be required, particularly in relation to housing.

BBVA teams have also been assessing damage to the bank’s facilities in the affected areas.

So far, 25 of the bank’s 40 branches in the area are operational.

BBVA’s digital channels in Colombia have continued operating normally throughout the emergency, helping keep services available to customers while work continues to restore the branch network.

Mario Pardo, CEO and Country Manager of BBVA in Colombia, said the entire BBVA team in Colombia has been committed from the outset to supporting colleagues and their families, helping communities and ensuring customers continue to be served.

He said the emergency is not over and that BBVA is committed to remaining present not only during the first days of response, but throughout the recovery and reconstruction period ahead.

Through its donation, partnerships and fundraising measures, BBVA is supporting immediate relief and longer-term recovery efforts for communities affected by the earthquake in Colombia.

SOURCE: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A.