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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Disasters & Emergencies

State presence fails to improve Caracas organization two days after earthquake

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Two days after a major earthquake, Caracas faces organizational challenges in disaster response.
  • Citizen volunteers are actively assisting victims, but official coordination is lacking in many areas.
  • While some municipalities like Chacao show organized efforts, others struggle with access and resources.

A group of young friends, including 18-year-old José, took to the streets of Caracas to help earthquake victims, driven by a desire to act rather than remain idle. "I couldn't stay in my house locked up, with my arms crossed, watching people die. A friend of ours died in La Guaira, it's very hard to accept," José recounted, expressing the emotional toll of the disaster.

I couldn't stay in my house locked up, with my arms crossed, watching people die. A friend of ours died in La Guaira, it's very hard to accept.

— JoséExplaining his motivation to volunteer after the earthquake.

These citizen efforts, which included rescuing people and animals in the initial hours, are now facing a shift. In some locations, heroic volunteerism is being replaced by heavy machinery and official emergency personnel. "We're going to see if we stay; if they let us pass, we're going to try to go down to La Guaira," said one of José's companions, highlighting the ongoing challenges in reaching affected areas.

We're going to see if we stay; if they let us pass, we're going to try to go down to La Guaira.

— Unnamed young volunteerDescribing the challenges of reaching affected areas outside the city.

Chacao, a municipality in eastern Caracas, stands out for its relative organization. Máximo Sánchez, president of the Municipal Council, detailed efforts to provide public restrooms, internet access, police surveillance, and medical attention. "We are working to try to have a better outcome in terms of survivors. We appreciate the support of the volunteers; several national supports are being incorporated today," Sánchez stated, adding that meetings with specialized engineers are planned to strategize next steps and assess buildings.

We are working to try to have a better outcome in terms of survivors. We appreciate the support of the volunteers; several national supports are being incorporated today.

— Máximo SánchezPresident of the Municipal Council of Chacao, detailing the municipality's disaster response efforts.

However, this level of coordination is not evident elsewhere. In San Bernardino, near the collapsed Rita building, police cordoned off access, preventing a group of 19-year-old university student Carlos Bengochea and others from helping at the debris site. "I came because of the sense of belonging, I'm from the area. It's my responsibility," Bengochea said, illustrating the community's drive to assist despite official barriers.

I came because of the sense of belonging, I'm from the area. It's my responsibility.

— Carlos BengocheaUniversity student explaining his desire to help at a collapsed building site.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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