Published 20.16
Fatima Andraca, Country Director of Save the Children in Venezuela, was on the twelfth floor when everything started shaking.
– When we came down, we saw that everything had collapsed, she says.
Now all the time and energy goes into showing the children that there is light and a way forward.
Barefoot and with only her phone, Fatima Andraca and her colleague managed to get out of the apartment hotel in Caracas where they had been living for a few months when the devastating earthquakes – measuring 7.2 and 7.5 – shook Venezuela last week.
– As you can imagine, there was chaos and panic in the streets. We were both in shock, says Andraca.
After trying to help as best they could, they were evacuated to a safe area in the city. The first thing Andraca needed to know was that her staff was safe.
– It was a long process because the network did not work, but we managed to ensure that all our staff were out of danger.
“A long way to go”
After that, she and Rädda Barnen began what she describes as a marathon – the work of helping the affected children.
– We have supported the authorities regarding the entire first phase of the rescue and search work. Today we started with our psychosocial support for the children and all specific activities regarding first aid interventions. We try to understand what they need so that we can provide the necessary help.
– There is a long way to go, notes Andraca.
Frustration over the response of the authorities is great among the residents, but Andraca believes in empathy and solidarity with them as well because they have also been affected.
– I don’t think anyone was prepared for this type of emergency. Yesterday I was in a meeting with local authorities and they said to me: “Can you imagine that half of our staff is under the racial masses?”
Don’t see all the consequences
People have lost their homes, perhaps their entire families and all their belongings. Even so, Andraca also sees children playing. They are trying to find a way to return to normal, she says, but warns:
– We may not see the full impact today, but we will if we don’t put in place protective measures and mental health strategies for them.
The sadness and loss that now characterizes the Venezuelan people cannot be described, according to Andraca. But among them there is also a great sense of humanity. They haven’t given up.
– That is why we work with children. We must show them light. We have to show them that we can continue, she says.
