SOS Venezuela Appeal: Help us help people affected by the earthquake

Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes within less than a minute. The quakes struck a country whose people have been living for many years in the midst of a deep economic, humanitarian and political crisis, which significantly hampers rescue efforts and subsequent recovery.

The tremors were followed by more than 130 aftershocks, with the coastal areas around the state of La Guaira and the capital, Caracas, being the worst affected. The earthquakes damaged hundreds of buildings, disrupted electricity, water and telecommunications supplies, and significantly hampered transport in some areas.

We have therefore launched the SOS Venezuela appeal. We have released the first million crowns from the funds of Club of Friends funs that we can begin providing aid immediately.

We have been operating in Venezuela for 12 years and work with a network of dozens of local partner organisations across the country. We are also in daily contact with our alliance partners who are involved in humanitarian aid. At the same time, international rescue teams and humanitarian organisations coordinated by the UN are involved in the rescue and humanitarian efforts. Together, we are assessing current needs and coordinating the next steps to ensure that aid reaches people in the worst-affected areas as quickly as possible.

In the first few days following the disaster, the top priorities are rescuing people trapped under the rubble, treating the injured, providing temporary shelter and restoring essential services, particularly the supply of drinking water and electricity.

“Even before the earthquake, Venezuela was facing a severe humanitarian crisis and economic deprivation. The worst earthquake in 100 years has turned the situation in the affected areas into a catastrophe. Our task is to get aid to where it is most needed as quickly as possible, and to support people not only in the first few weeks after the disaster, but also as they return to normal life. We have many years’ experience of responding to natural disasters and other humanitarian crises around the world, and we are ready to put this experience to use in Venezuela,” says Marek Štys, our Head of Humanitarian Aid at People in Need.

We have allocated CZK 1 million for immediate support

We have allocated CZK 1 million from our Club of Friends fund for the first phase of aid. These funds enable us to begin providing assistance without having to wait on fundraising. The further scope of the aid will depend on how the situation develops, as well as on support from the public and institutional donors.

Part of the funds will be channelled through our Alliance 2015 partners, who have experience in humanitarian responses to natural disasters. At the same time, we also want to support local partner organisations that have been working directly in the affected communities for many years and are well acquainted with their needs.

“People in Venezuela have been living in difficult conditions for a long time, which is why we have been working there continuously for twelve years. We know the local environment and the communities’ needs very well. Thanks to our experience and flexibility, we are able to respond quickly to the situation and direct aid where it will have the greatest impact,” adds Karolína Kvačková from the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy at People in Need.

Please support the SOS Venezuela appeal

You can support our work on the ground through the SOS Venezuela appeal.

Account number: 72377237/0300

Thank you for helping us in this effort.