The Committee of the Jewish Communities of Venezuela launched an emergency fundraising campaign on Sunday following the earthquake, which caused urgent humanitarian needs and casualties. The campaign began with a goal of $2 million, and has raised $176,000 by Sunday evening to aid Jewish families impacted by the earthquake.
“About 80 Jewish families have lost their homes, and another 200 are afraid to return home. The community is currently assisting all of them,” a member of Caracas’s Jewish community told Walla.
The individual also emphasized that the community needed more external help than in the past due to a drastic reduction in numbers. According to his estimation, the community went from 20,000 to 3,000 people in recent years and now includes fewer families capable of stronger assistance.
In a public appeal, the community said its leaders, professionals, and volunteers were working around the clock to assist those affected and respond to the growing number of emergencies since the disaster.
“We need you. Every donation could mean the difference between life and death,” the appeal said.
Death toll rises even as foreign rescue team arrives
A GoFundMe campaign was launched, and the community called on Jews and supporters worldwide to share the appeal and join the humanitarian effort.
The death toll from Wednesday’s twin earthquakes had risen to over 1,400 as of Saturday, as foreign rescue teams poured into the coastal state of La Guaira, the area hardest hit by the disaster.
The GoFundMe link can be found here.
