‘Give what you can’ – local charities unite under Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to launch Venezuela Earthquake Appeal
Darren Vaughan, Concern Worldwide, Laura Feeney, Save the Children and Chris Thompson, Tearfund NI launch the DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal.
Local charity representatives from Tearfund NI, Concern Worldwide, Save the Children and British Red Cross are calling on people to support an appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to raise funds to reach people affected by the catastrophic earthquakes in Venezuela.
The earthquakes have killed at least 1,700 people and left thousands more injured and in need of medical care.
The DEC has launched a UK wide appeal to help provide emergency medical treatment, food, and water to those affected in the aftermath.
The scale of the destruction is catastrophic. Buildings were reduced to rubble in minutes following two back-to-back earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 which struck close to Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas.
The second earthquake was the strongest to hit the country in more than a century. Around 2,500 buildings are believed to have been destroyed. Venezuela’s authorities have declared a state of emergency and the UN estimates that millions of people have been affected, with more than two million in the worst impacted areas.
DEC charities and local partners have been working in Venezuela for many years. They are providing emergency medical treatment, delivering meals and food baskets, and ensuring people have access to clean drinking water, but funds are urgently needed to reach more families.
Broadcast appeal films to support the response by DEC charities will air on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky later today (1 July). BBC and commercial radio appeals will also be broadcast throughout the day.
Jackie Trainor, Concern Worldwide said: “The scale of need is huge, but we know the generosity of people here is also vast. We would urge people to support this important appeal and give what they can to help communities in Venezuela rebuild. Concern Worldwide is working with the DEC so that all money raised will go to where it is needed most, to support the delivery of vital emergency care, food supplies, water and medical supplies.”
Laura Feeney, Save the Children said: “The enormity of damage inflicted by these earthquakes is difficult to quantify. Our priorities are ensuring the safety of those impacted and supporting families as they navigate their way through this. Children are particularly vulnerable in situations like this, and Save the Children is working with local partners to support them and their families during this crisis.”
Chris Thompson, Tearfund NI said: “People in Venezuela are dealing with the unimaginable right now. Our local partners in the country are telling us of widespread emotional distress, psychological trauma, massive medical needs and huge numbers of people being displaced. To add to this trauma, many are afraid to return to their homes for fear of buildings collapsing and aftershocks. It is a very fearful time for everyone and they need our help. Tearfund is encouraging the Northern Ireland public to give what they can to support those who need our help.”
Saleh Saeed of the Disasters Emergency Committee said: “Thousands of people in Venezuela have survived the unimaginable horror of two devastating earthquakes only to face the trauma of missing loved ones and finding their homes and neighborhoods destroyed. Right now, many of these families are sleeping in makeshift tents on the street. They urgently need shelter, food, water, and medical care. DEC charities are working around the clock with their local partners to reach people. The needs are overwhelming and the public’s support could be a lifeline for families affected by this devastating disaster. Please donate now.”