The Venezuelan Jewish community launched a humanitarian aid campaign last week, aiming to raise $2 million to support those affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck the country.
A statement released by the community indicated that the campaign's goal is to meet the immediate needs of families affected by the earthquake, while also supporting their long-term recovery process.
According to reports, hundreds of families have been left homeless as a result of the natural disaster. The earthquake has further exacerbated the situation for a population already facing economic difficulties for many years.
Immediately after the earthquake, "Vaad ha-Kehilot," the coordinating body of the country's Jewish community, mobilized and converted community facilities into temporary shelters. Currently, more than 400 community members are housed in these shelters, while approximately 200 others have found refuge in relatives' homes.
The community's appeal emphasized that the small Jewish community, with limited resources and primarily composed of elderly individuals, is unable to overcome the consequences of a disaster of this magnitude on its own.
The funds raised will primarily be directed towards meeting urgent humanitarian needs. These include providing food, drinking water, medicines, hygiene products, and bedding for people living in temporary shelters.
Within the framework of the long-term recovery program, plans include temporary rental support for affected families, emergency grants for home repairs, and funding for children's education expenses and school meals.
Additionally, the project includes the acquisition and installation of backup power infrastructure to ensure the continuous operation of essential community facilities in preparation for future emergencies.
It was stated that donations are accepted through the "GoFundMe" platform via "Friends of Yajad-Venezuela," a charitable organization registered in the USA. It was noted that the collected funds will be used solely for humanitarian aid and recovery efforts, and "Vaad ha-Kehilot" will distribute the funds based on transparent and documented needs, with donors being regularly informed about the process.