One week after the disaster, according to a report presented by Venezuela’s National Assembly, more than 2,000 people have lost their lives, 11,000 have been injured, around 16,000 have been displaced, and over 28,000 are living in temporary shelters. In total, 80,870 people have been affected, with Caracas, La Guaira and Carabobo among the areas hardest hit by the disaster.
In response, the Salesian Province of St Luke in Venezuela, through its emergency relief programme, aims to assist 680 affected families, giving priority to households with children, women and elderly people. Funds raised by the Fundación Don Bosco in Peru will enable the Salesians in Venezuela to provide food, drinking water, sanitation services, medical assistance, economic recovery support and psychological care.
The planned interventions include the distribution of food parcels, hygiene kits, drinking water, medicines, psychological support and school supplies.
“Today Venezuela needs the Salesian charism and your generous hearts in the face of the suffering of our brothers and sisters,” the Salesians of Peru wrote in launching the campaign. “As the Salesian Family, we are called to respond in the spirit of Don Bosco, always standing beside those who suffer most, especially children, young people and the most vulnerable families. We appeal to our entire Educative and Pastoral Community, to young people, families and all people of good will to join this solidarity campaign for Venezuela, so that hope may not be extinguished in that country.”
