Community Unites in Texas to Support Earthquake-Stricken Venezuela
In the wake of two devastating earthquakes that rocked Venezuela’s northern coast, a sense of urgency and solidarity has swept across the Venezuelan community in the United States. The tremors, which struck near Caracas, have left a trail of destruction, prompting an outpouring of support from afar.
In Katy, Texas, Arianna Regardia was among those who felt the immediate need to act. After confirming the safety of her grandmother in Caracas, Regardia’s relief turned into a determination to help. She joined volunteers at a local cargo warehouse, MetaBox Cargo, to sort and pack donations of essential supplies such as canned tuna, diapers, and hygiene products bound for Venezuela.
“One thing I admire about being Venezuelan is our resilience,” Regardia shared, tears in her eyes. “Being there for each other and just supporting each other during the tough times.”
These sentiments resonated deeply within the Venezuelan diaspora in Houston, a city home to one of the largest Venezuelan communities in the U.S., with approximately 83,000 residents. As images of the destruction circulated, many like Regardia found themselves driven to assist those affected by organizing donation drives.
The earthquakes, a 7.2-magnitude foreshock followed by a 7.5-magnitude quake, have claimed at least 235 lives and injured thousands more, according to official reports. The U.S. military has also stepped in, offering aircraft to aid in search-and-rescue operations as well as delivering humanitarian aid, as detailed by the U.S. Department of State.
Throughout the Houston area, donation sites have sprung up to gather supplies. At Mi Querencia Latin Market, another local donation hub, Alberto Avila contributed bags of food and clothing, echoing the collective effort to support their homeland. “That’s what Venezuelans do for our people,” Avila remarked, relieved to have confirmed his own family’s safety in Venezuela.
Amelia Millan, another member of the Venezuelan community in Texas, also took part in these efforts, driven by her concern for her family back home. “I wish I could get on a plane and be there right now,” Millan expressed, underscoring the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones during such a crisis.
Despite the geographical distance, the shared commitment to aid those in need remains unwavering. As volunteers in Katy packed supplies, they also paused to write messages of encouragement on a wall adorned with the Venezuelan flag. One poignant message read: “Estamos contigo, Venezuela” — We are with you, Venezuela.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
