When tragedy strikes Latin America, the response often reminds us just how connected our communities really are.

Some of the biggest names in Latin music came together in Miami on Sunday for Unidos por Los Nuestros, a massive benefit concert supporting people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela.

Marc Anthony, Chayanne, Luis Fonsi, Feid, Olga Tañón, Ricardo Montaner, Jay Wheeler, Gente de Zona, Silvestre Dangond, Piso 21, Chino y Nacho and many others were among the artists involved in the international fundraising effort.

The concert took place August 16 at Miami’s Kaseya Center and was broadcast to audiences beyond the arena, turning one night of Latin music into a global call for help.

But the story behind the event makes it even more meaningful.

The concert was originally created as Unidos por Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June.

Then Colombia was hit.

After the powerful August 10 earthquake caused widespread devastation in Colombia, organizers expanded the initiative to support victims in both countries and renamed the event Unidos por Los Nuestros — United for Our People.

That name says everything.

This wasn’t Colombia helping Colombia or Venezuela helping Venezuela.

It was Latinos helping Latinos.

Funds raised through the campaign are being directed toward emergency and longer-term needs including food, medical assistance, medication, temporary shelter, housing, child protection, mental-health services and family reunification. The Univision Foundation and Marc Anthony’s Maestro Cares Foundation are leading the distribution of funds.

And there was something especially powerful about seeing artists from across Latin America standing behind the same cause.

Puerto Rico. Colombia. Venezuela. Cuba. The Dominican Republic and beyond.

Different flags disappeared for a night.

For Colombian and Venezuelan communities around the world — including the thousands who call Toronto and the GTA home — these disasters don’t feel like stories happening somewhere far away. There are families here waiting for calls, checking on relatives and watching images from communities they know personally.

That’s why moments like Unidos por Los Nuestros matter.

Latin music has become one of the biggest cultural forces on the planet. Stadiums are selling out. Streaming records are falling. Latin artists are reaching audiences that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.

But sometimes the biggest demonstration of that power isn’t a No. 1 song or a sold-out stadium.

It’s what happens when that enormous audience is asked to help.

Sunday night in Miami was a reminder that when one part of our community hurts, borders don’t have to matter.

Colombia and Venezuela needed help.

Latin America answered.