Cologne/Caracas. Two devastating earthquakes with magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck the western coastal region of Venezuela on Wednesday evening local time. Buildings collapsed in cities located near the epicenter. Thousands are feared dead. Malteser International will immediately release 250,000 euros for first emergency aid measures in the affected areas.

“These two earthquakes were particularly severe. Especially the second quake – with a magnitude of 7.5 and a depth of just ten kilometers – caused a great deal of destruction. The affected areas are densely populated, which means that millions of people are affected. Thousands have lost their homes and belongings. It is now vital to ensure support is given as quickly as possible. We are assessing the situation and are taking steps to provide people with the things they need most,” says Jonas Jung, Emergency Relief Coordinator at Malteser International.

 

Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, has been closed due to earthquake damage and train service has been suspended. Power and communications have failed in parts of Caracas and other areas of the country. Malteser International has been supporting the people in need in Venezuela for many years through a local partner organization and the Venezuelan Association of the Order of Malta. The economic situation in the South American country has been very tense for many years.

Malteser International’s emergency aid is supported by Aktion Deutschland Hilft (Germany’s Relief Coalition

 

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a primary subject of international law and Catholic and lay religious order. Its mission is to bear witness to the faith and assist the poor and sick. The Order of Malta is mainly active in health and social care and humanitarian aid, operating in over 130 countries. Together with its 13,500 members, it has 100,000 volunteers supported by some 60,000 doctors, nurses and paramedics. The Order manages hospitals, healthcare clinics, out-patient units, institutes for the elderly and disabled, palliative care centres as well as projects for health and social care and psychological assistance for migrants and refugees. It has bilateral diplomatic relations with 115 States, official relations with another 4 States, and relations at ambassadorial level with the European Union and African Union. It has the status of Permanent Observer to the United Nations and is represented in the main international organizations. Since 1834, the seat of the Order of Malta’s government has been in Rome. The 81st Grand Master is Fra’ John T. Dunlap.

Malteser International (MI) is the international humanitarian aid organization of the Catholic Sovereign Order of Malta. It fulfills the Order’s mission of “service to the poor and the sick.” The organization provides aid to people, regardless of their religion, political beliefs, origin, or sex. Catholic values and the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence form the foundation of its work. Further information: www.malteser-international.org

Photo: Yelitze Colmenares/Malteser International

The Order’s Emergency Relief fund is to assist in times of crisis, including refugee support and emergency relief to those impacted by disaster or conflict