As two powerful earthquakes tore through north-central Venezuela on Wednesday evening, they intensified an already fragile humanitarian crisis – placing millions more people at risk of hunger.
The back-to-back earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude hit within a minute of each other, killing at least 589 people and injuring nearly 3,000 others.
These numbers are expected to rise exponentially in the coming days as more information becomes available and search and rescue efforts continue in the densely populated areas most impacted by the earthquakes – including the capital, Caracas.
“This disaster comes at a time when many families in Venezuela were already struggling to afford enough food,” says Stefan Epp-Koop, Foodgrains Bank senior humanitarian manager. “It’s a crisis on top of a crisis, and that’s a devastating reality for those who were living on the edge prior to this week’s events. The loss of shelter, income, and access to markets could quickly push them deeper into hunger.”
The UN estimates that before the earthquakes struck, up to eight million people in Venezuela needed humanitarian assistance due to economic instability and rising food prices.
“Without timely support, more families will be forced to go without the food they need,” says Epp-Koop.
As a member of the Humanitarian Coalition, Canadian Foodgrains Bank is responding to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches the most vulnerable people in Venezuela as quickly and effectively as possible.
“Our hearts are with the people of Venezuela during this difficult time, and Canadians have a long history of responding generously in times like this,” says Foodgrains Bank director of resources and public engagement Christina Philips. “The scale of need is significant, but with the right support, we can help communities withstand this shock and begin to recover.”
Funds donated to the joint Humanitarian Coalition appeal will help local partners (who have been present in Venezuela for decades) to provide emergency assistance that is desperately needed at this time.
Click here to give to the Venezuela Earthquake Response.
