Forty-four days have passed since the doublet earthquake that shook Venezuela and left a deep mark of destruction in La Guaira. Although media attention has waned, the emergency continues. Rescue teams continue to work among the rubble while numerous families wait to recover the bodies of their loved ones. In this context, ARCORES Venezuela maintains its presence on the ground, supporting both the rescuers and the affected population.
On August 4, a group from the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternities accompanied ARCORES Venezuela to La Guaira, considered “Ground Zero” of the tragedy. There, they delivered food, water, and energy drinks for those participating in the search and recovery efforts.
Rescuers who do not stop their work
The volunteers witnessed the enormous physical demands facing the rescue teams. Many work continuous 24-hour shifts, taking turns to keep the search active among the collapsed buildings.
“The need for food, water, and energy drinks remains very high,” explains Leopoldo Duarte, a member of the Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternities. Added to this, according to his testimony, is the insufficiency of constant institutional assistance, which makes the collaboration of organizations and volunteers even more necessary.
An emergency that continues
Far from being over, the emergency is now entering an especially delicate phase. Humanitarian aid is beginning to decrease while many collapsed buildings are still waiting to be cleared.
Rescuers report that victims remain trapped under the rubble in several of these structures. Each working day keeps alive the hope of the families waiting for news in the vicinity of the rescue zones.
“One can sense the tragedy, the sadness, and the pain of the relatives,” relates Duarte, describing the tents where many people wait to be able to recover the bodies of their loved ones to offer them a dignified burial.
Material aid and spiritual closeness
ARCORES Venezuela’s response is not limited to material aid. Next week, volunteers will return to La Guaira accompanied by a priest to hold a funeral prayer service for those who remain among the rubble and to provide spiritual accompaniment to their families.
This gesture seeks to remind us that, in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, it is also essential to tend to the invisible wounds left by a tragedy of this magnitude: grief, uncertainty, and the need for hope.
Solidarity remains necessary
ARCORES Venezuela calls on people not to forget those who continue to work on the ground. Maintaining the supply of food, water, and drinks for the rescuers is fundamental so they can proceed with work that is still far from over.
At the same time, the organization will continue to accompany those living through this tragedy with closeness, listening, and solidarity, convinced that the reconstruction of a country also begins by sustaining those who suffer most.
