The American lawyer Dan Newlin mobilized a significant humanitarian aid operation for Colombia after the earthquake that struck the country, sending over 2,000 kilos of critical medical supplies from Florida to Bogotá. The initiative allowed for the delivery of medications, surgical equipment, and essential materials intended for hospitals struggling to care for those affected by the emergency.
Newlin explained that the disaster deeply impacted him and that the response began after receiving a call from the Office of the First Lady of Colombia. He recounted that he immediately contacted his friends Andrés DePaw and Greg and Marianne Schaller to coordinate the operation and determine the best way to address the hospitals' needs.
The lawyer worked directly with the First Lady's office to identify the supplies that were needed most urgently. Subsequently, he reached out to the CEO of the healthcare chain ''AdventHealth'', who, according to Newlin, responded immediately and donated a full truckload of the specifically requested surgical supplies.
''Just give us a list and I'll make it happen'', Newlin had stated when offering his help after the tragedy.
AdventHealth's response quickly gathered a significant amount of medical material. Newlin also turned to his team of lawyers and community professionals, who joined the operation without delay.
''Everyone showed up without thinking twice,'' the lawyer explained. The team spent the night loading the planes and working until the early hours of the morning to ensure that every gram of supplies was secured and ready for transport.
The two planes took off at 9 AM and landed in Colombia around 1 PM. Once in the country, the cargo was received by the Minister of Health, members of the Army, and local authorities, who coordinated its distribution to remote hospitals where supplies are considered especially necessary.
The aid includes over 2,000 kilograms of medical equipment and materials, including advanced surgical instruments, kits for stabilizing trauma patients, sterile dressings, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and anesthesia supplies. These materials are intended to enable medical teams to perform emergency surgeries and care for injured individuals.
Newlin particularly emphasized the destination of the aid and stated that the supplies are being sent to hospitals far from major urban centers to assist children and families affected by the disaster.
''They are already on their way to the remote hospitals where they are most needed, to help the children and families who are suffering right now,'' he expressed.
The lawyer also highlighted the commitment of the people who participated in the operation. He recounted that he stayed with his team on the runway while they prepared the shipment and observed how professionals with their own obligations set everything aside to collaborate.
