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Chinese Venezuelans mobilize community networks to aid earthquake-stricken regions
🇨🇳 China /Disasters & Emergencies

Chinese Venezuelans mobilize community networks to aid earthquake-stricken regions

From South China Morning Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Twin earthquakes above magnitude 7 struck northern Venezuela, causing widespread damage and casualties.
  • Lutao Cen, a long-term resident on Margarita Island, learned of the devastation through social media, including news of a friend's severe injury and the deaths of three workers and a child in La Guaira.
  • The Venezuelan-Chinese community is mobilizing aid, leveraging extensive networks to deliver essential supplies to affected areas.

Twin earthquakes, both exceeding magnitude 7, have devastated northern Venezuela, leaving a trail of destruction and a significant death toll. Lutao Cen, who has resided on Margarita Island for four decades, was swimming when the seismic events struck. Upon returning to shore, he was inundated with messages on WeChat detailing collapsed buildings and streets choked with dust.

The earthquakes, the deadliest in Venezuela in decades, have claimed nearly 1,500 lives, injured over 3,100 people, and displaced more than 12,700. Among the casualties was a close friend of Cen's in La Guaira, the chairman of the local Chinese association, who was seriously injured when his shop collapsed, killing three workers and his 13-year-old daughter.

In response to the catastrophe, the Venezuelan-Chinese community, whose members have established businesses across Venezuela for generations, has activated its extensive community networks. These networks, stretching from Guangdong to Caracas, are now serving as a vital lifeline, facilitating the delivery of aid, including food and water, to the earthquake-stricken regions. The community is responding not as outsiders, but as integral parts of Venezuela, providing crucial support in the wake of the disaster.

I was devastated.

— Lutao CenCen's reaction upon learning about the severe injuries and deaths among his friends and their families following the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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