Venezuela: Committee urges faster volunteer registration for earthquake relief

The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Venezuela (Clippve) has called on authorities to expedite the volunteer accreditation process at Caracas's Poliedro, a central hub for earthquake relief efforts. Citizens attempting to register as volunteers to assist in rescue operations in La Guaira following recent earthquakes have reported significant system failures.

Clippve stated that these delays directly impact victims, as "while these delays persist, there are Venezuelans who continue trapped under the rubble waiting to be rescued." According to those trying to register, technical issues are blocking the issuance of QR codes and the necessary credentials for travel to the earthquake-affected zones. This has resulted in long queues of willing helpers unable to contribute.

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We call on the responsible authorities to expedite this process and ensure that it facilitates, and does not obstruct, humanitarian aid.

Volunteers are required to submit personal data and vehicle information for registration before joining rescue brigades. The process, which includes receiving a safety kit, has become a bottleneck. The devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude, have caused at least 1,430 deaths, 3,238 injuries, and affected over 5,000 people, with structural damage concentrated in La Guaira and surrounding areas. The overwhelming wave of citizen solidarity is currently hampered by the registration system's inability to process the high volume of volunteers efficiently.

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While these delays persist, there are Venezuelans who continue trapped under the rubble waiting to be rescued.