The US will allocate $150 million to assist victims of earthquakes in Venezuela
The solidarity of the US government towards the victims of the earthquakes that shook Venezuela is reflected in $150 million in aid
Faced with the devastating earthquakes that caused severe material damage in Venezuela, the Trump administration announced the allocation of $150 million to assist the thousands of victims who lost their homes and, in some cases, loved ones.
Through a statement, the State Department indicated that, of that amount, two thirds will be allocated to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Venezuela.
The rest will be directed to other organizations in charge in the streets trying to search for survivors among the rubble of buildings that collapsed due to the intensity of two earthquakes greater than magnitude seven, or as a result of the hundreds of aftershocks that emerged after 6:04 p.m. Caracas time, on a Wednesday holiday for Venezuelans commemorating the battle of Carabobo.
In this way, those who benefit from US financial aid are Catholic Relief Services, International Medical Corps, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), World Vision, Samaritan's Purse and the World Food Program (WFP).
It turned out that in addition to the aforementioned money, the US government deployed two search and rescue brigades to the Bolivarian Republic from the fire departments of Los Angeles, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia.
Among the members of these teams are firefighters, medical personnel, engineers and search specialists and even canine pairs.
The objective is to rescue the greatest number of people still trapped under the rubble of buildings incapable of withstanding the fury of the earth.
It should be noted that, due to the damage recorded at the Maiquetía International Airport, Simón Bolívar, a city near Caracas, aircraft landing and takeoff operations were suspended until further notice, which prevents the arrivals and departures of travelers.
So far, the material losses recorded in the center of the South American nation are incalculable; while the number of missing people is confusing, but as the days progress the panorama will be bleak, this despite the solidarity support that has emerged from sister countries sending tons of canned food, clothing, medicines and donations.