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).
Attention editors:
Jonas Jung, Emergency Relief Coordinator at Malteser International is available for interviews and soundbites.
Contact: +49 (0)221 9822-7181, katharina.kiecol@malteser-international.org
