Miami's Venezuelan business community launches relief drive after rains displace thousands
Heavy rainfall, caused by a tropical wave, has destroyed homes, washed away bridges, damaged other key infrastructure, ruined agricultural crops, disrupted electricity and drinking water services, and left thousands of families cut off due to flooding and landslides.
In response to the national emergency, the Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce (VACC), based in Miami, has activated a relief campaign through its VACC Foundation. The effort will channel humanitarian assistance through Caritas Venezuela and the Dividendo Voluntario para la Comunidad.
'These intense rains have left thousands of Venezuelan families homeless, without access to food, clean water, or medical care. Now more than ever, our solidarity can save lives,' said the VACC Foundation.
Donations can be made at: https://vaccfoundation.org/donate-now
Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency and ordered a military deployment to support Civil Protection and Fire Department rescue efforts.
The states most affected are Barinas, Portuguesa, Trujillo, Táchira, and Mérida, the latter suffering the worst damage. In Mérida, the flooding of the Chama River has damaged 16 bridges and 25 roads, according to reports from state-run Telesur.
In Portuguesa, part of the José Antonio Páez Highway collapsed after one of its bridges gave way.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said rainfall in these regions increased by 300% compared to conditions before the arrival of the tropical wave.
Several relief collection centers have been set up across Venezuela, according to Noticias Caracol.
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