Earthquake Emergency: Venezuela Can't Catch A Break

Buildings are collapsing and people are dying, they need help

And after what the U.S. recently did, they didn’t need another tragedy. | Photo by Andrés Silva on Unsplash

Two major earthquakes have just hit Venezuela; both above 7. On the Richter scale, anything above 7 is considered a major event, causing massive damage.

Anything higher than that can completely level cities. An 8 is a catastrophe that obliterates communities at the heart, laying great monuments low.

Venezuela was just smashed by two separate quakes in short succession, and both struck near the capital city of Caracas. The first was 7.2, the second was measured at 7.5.

Rescuers are desperately searching through the rubble of collapsed structures, trying to find a way down to the sound of screaming, pleading voices trapped under the buildings.

So far, 164 people have been confirmed dead, but judging by the damage there are estimates that thousands could be lost. Compounding the tragedy, this happened on a national holiday where most people were at home with their loved ones — entire families have been buried, on a day when they should have been relaxing and enjoying themselves.

Multiple cities and villages have been impacted, power grids have been taken down, and airports are closing due to the damages and in fear of aftershocks.

The quakes hit hard enough that people felt the shocks as far away as Columbia. Picture that.

Now, multiple countries have already pledged support and to send assistance for the rescue efforts, including the U.S.

Time will tell if the response is actually proportional, considering Trump’s attitude it could go either way. He might throw paper towels at them, or he might actually send real help if he feels he ‘owns’ Venezuela after his power grab where he forcibly kidnapped their president via military action.

No way to know.

If you want to help, there are several major charities already throwing out calls for donations — Save the Children, Global Giving and Direct Relief all have campaigns for earthquake relief already set up.

I’m going to be donating to Direct Relief, personally.

If you can’t donate your money, which is understandable given economic conditions right now, please help by spreading the word about relief efforts and the evolving situation.

The more eyes on this, the better!

Solidarity wins.

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