Venezuela Earthquake Survivor Recounts Chaos, Details Children's Aid Efforts

Fatima Andraca, the country director for Save the Children in Venezuela, described the harrowing experience of surviving the recent powerful earthquakes that shook the nation. Trapped on the twelfth floor when the tremors began, Andraca witnessed the immediate collapse of structures and the ensuing chaos.

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When we came down, we saw that everything had collapsed.

"When we came down, we saw that everything had collapsed," Andraca recounted. She and her colleague managed to escape their apartment hotel in Caracas barefoot, with only their phones, amidst widespread panic and disarray on the streets. "As you can imagine, there was chaos and panic in the streets. We were both in shock," she said.

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As you can imagine, there was chaos and panic in the streets. We were both in shock.

After ensuring her staff's safety, a process complicated by network failures, Andraca and Save the Children shifted their focus to supporting the affected children. The organization has been assisting authorities in the initial rescue and search phases and has now begun providing psychosocial support and first aid activities. "We are trying to understand what they need so that we can provide the necessary help," Andraca explained.

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We have supported the authorities when it comes to the entire first phase of rescue and search work. Today we started with our psychosocial support to the children and all specific activities regarding first aid efforts. We are trying to understand what they need so that we can provide the help that is required.

Despite the immense loss and devastation, with many losing homes and families, Andraca noted the resilience of children who are trying to return to normalcy. However, she warned that the full psychological impact may not be apparent immediately without proper protective measures and mental health strategies. "There is a long way to go," Andraca stated, emphasizing the need for empathy and solidarity, even towards authorities who have also suffered significant losses, with many of their personnel feared buried under rubble. "I don't think anyone was prepared for this type of emergency."

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There is a long way to go.