Updated 19.33 | Published 19.33
Four days have passed since the earthquakes in Venezuela.
50,000 are missing and the chance of finding more survivors drops dramatically.
– With each passing day, they lose hope, says Médecins Sans Frontières’ country manager in Venezuela, Andreas Spaett.
Water, food and psychological support. That’s what they hit in Venezuela need, in the still urgent situation that prevails after the earthquakes, explains Andreas Spaett, head of Médecins Sans Frontières in Venezuela. He works in the affected areas and describes the coastal state of La Guaira as a war zone.
– It’s horrible. You come here thinking there was a bombing.
“Miracles Occur”
After three days, it usually becomes increasingly difficult to find survivors because they are stuck without water. Now four days have passed.
– Hope is falling, but from my colleagues there is still some hope. A few people can still survive a few days. It depends on where they are in the collapsed buildings. When a wall comes down, it can hold up some space, Spaett says, continuing:
– Sometimes in these situations miracles occur. People surviving up to 8, 9, 10 days.
On Sunday, a boy and his father were rescued from the mobs in the town of La Guira by American firefighters.
So far, over 1,400 have been found dead, 33 people have been rescued from the stampede, but around 50,000 are missing according to the country’s opposition, reports Reuters.
“Lost everything”
Andreas Spaett explains that the focus is on trying to take care of those who survived, physically as well as psychologically.
– Mental support should not be underestimated. These people are not only injured, they are traumatized and have lost everything.
For the aid organizations on the ground, the poor infrastructure makes work difficult and the conditions for working effectively do not exist.
– In addition, it is hot and the humidity is high. The risk here is very high for bacteria and, for example, cholera, says Spaett.
He hopes that those who may want to contribute money and countries with the right help can enter the country when the airport can now accommodate more flights after being damaged in the earthquakes.
– Donating is very simple, but we who are part of rich communities can help.
