Venezuela earthquakes: Thousands injured, missing, without food or water. Here are 4 ways you can help right now
Search efforts are underway in Venezuela after a pair of powerful earthquakes on Wednesday killed at least 589 people, leaving at least 3,000 people injured, thousands more unaccounted for, and countless others without food or water, according to the Associated Press. The catastrophic 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes are among the most powerful to strike the nation in more than a century. The epicenter of the quakes was north of Caracas, in the coastal state of La Guaira. Those in the capital paint a grim picture: buildings that collapsed to the ground, lost internet and power, and overall chaos and confusion as rescuers race to find survivors buried under rubble. On Thursday, the U.S. Treasury waived some sanctions on the country (until October), paving the way for earthquake relief efforts. The U.S. and nations around the world have pledged their assistance. The move comes just six months after the Trump administration led a military operation in the country, which resulted in the capture of then-president Nicolas Maduro. His former vice president, Venezuela’s current acting president Delcy Rodríguez, has declared a state of emergency, and said she is creating a $200 million fund to rebuild damaged hospitals and homes. If you’re looking for ways to help, we’ve rounded up some resources below. International Committee of the Red Cross: The group’s first humanitarian supplies left Panama on Friday, via Tocumen International Airport, bound for Venezuela, including: kitchen sets, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and other essential items. Venezuela’s Red Cross remains active, aiding hospitals to deliver care, while aiding rescue teams and supply efforts. (The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world’s largest humanitarian network.) Learn how to offer your support here. Airlink: This global humanitarian organization solves logistics challenges in disasters “to get the right aid to the right place at the right ti