Mallorca sends €350,000 after Venezuela earthquakes
Food, clean water, medicine and shelter are set to reach families in Venezuela through a €350,000 earthquake aid package from the Balearic government. The funding is due to be approved by the Consell de Govern on Friday. On Wednesday, 26 August, regional minister Antònia Maria Estarellas met four aid groups in Palma to discuss where the money can do most good.
The package follows the two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela at the end of June. Venezuelan authorities put the death toll at 6,509, while international organisations expect 1.8 million people to face extreme vulnerability and imminent danger over the next six months, including more than 680,000 children and teenagers.
At least 16,000 people have lost their homes and been displaced within the country. The projects are intended to run for many months, covering the basics families need to get through each day.
Four Mallorca organisations share the funding
Cáritas Diocesana de Mallorca will receive €100,000 for families in the states of Falcón and Yaracuy. Its work includes food, cash help for basic needs, hygiene and water-treatment kits, shelter support and psychosocial care.
The Spanish Red Cross will also receive €100,000. It will focus on people in La Guaira and Gran Caracas whose homes have been destroyed or are unsafe to live in, as well as families in temporary accommodation. The support includes essential supplies, shelter materials and hygiene kits.
Médicos del Mundo will get €100,000 for work in Sucre, Táchira, Apure, La Guaira and Miranda. It aims to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for around 5,000 people, including water delivered by tanker, ten storage tanks of 2,000 litres each, repairs to damaged water points and hygiene supplies.
Apotecaris Solidaris will receive the remaining €50,000 for medicines and medical equipment. Its programme gives particular attention to children, pregnant women, older people, people with chronic illnesses and disabled people, and also covers vaccination and mental-health needs.
Aid adds to international cooperation budget
The emergency payment comes on top of the €9 million the Balearic government has allocated to international cooperation projects this year. Estarellas said the government intends to support the organisations for as long as necessary, while Venezuela works to restore normality after a disaster in a country already facing complex problems.
Topics: Earthquakes · Sea rescue · Health · Politics · Palma
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com