Venezuela. Organizations fear less international humanitarian aid

Volunteers, non-governmental organizations and institutions that serve the affected alert that as the tragedy ceases to be highlighted in the international press, support and emergency resources may be reduced, although many families remain homeless, without adequate medical care and without basic conditions to survive.

“The situation on the ground remains complicated. Support decreased, but we still have the same number of people in need of help: all those affected, pregnant, children and elderly who are alone in the area and who depend on the help of all of us,” Lusa said.

Jonathan Molina, of the Spanish group Eir Tactical Global Med & Ops, admitted that “unfortunately, the news has passed, the [press] cameras have left and people who really need help are left.”.

“ And since this doesn't go viral, help has gone down a lot. One of the things we ask of the international press is that you continue to report. We know that the collapses have already happened, that people in the rubble are no longer our daily bread, but there are thousands and thousands of people affected in shelters ", said.

“There are times when we think the situation will improve, but the rains have started and there are camps that have been affected, people who have lost again what little they have been able to recover, that is, from what I have seen, will be quite time consuming,” he added.

The specialist doctor in child and volunteer neurodevelopment of the International Red Cross Sara Zafra also regretted that the situation in Venezuela is no longer news.

“Venezuela is no longer a trend and so we are working, even with what we have, to continue to give visibility and show the world what really happens in La Guaira,” he said.

He also explained that since the earthquake, the International Red Cross has rescued 122 people with life, 60 of them with severe injuries, and performed emergency surgeries, such as amputations and tracheotomy.

“I’m from La Guaira, I’m a survivor of the double earthquake. I have lost many family members and, therefore, I am serving, helping the foundations to support people who have been victims of the earthquake and who need our collaboration,” he said.

As an “expert in disasters”, it estimated that the emergency will last for approximately 8 months.

“ We believe that we are still in an emergency, since there are still people living in tents, who do not eat all three meals a day, and who cannot shower every day. This represents a public health problem and, therefore, we classify the situation as a health emergency. We are developing health and epidemiological protocols to prevent the spread of smallpox, mange and other diseases,” he said.

Hernando Guerrero, of the Rescue Group Carabobo, sees with good eyes “a campaign to remind people that Venezuela still needs help”.

“ Unfortunately, when the emergency occurred, many communities mobilized to help Venezuela, but then, over time, the intensity was decreasing; however, La Guaira still needs us, Venezuela still needs us. And we must continue to show solidarity”, he said.

There are still “many shortages, many people sleeping in tents, people affected by the catastrophe that need help”.

The double earthquake of June 24 caused serious damage to infrastructure, wounded and fatalities in seven states of Venezuela: Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Lara, Yaracuy and La Guaira, the latter the most affected.

According to the latest updated review released by the authorities, 6,509 people died and 226,696 injured were assisted in Venezuelan hospitals after earthquakes.

Among the fatalities, there are at least 138 Portuguese and Portuguese.