Connecticut’s Venezuelan community is coming together to provide relief to those affected by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck near San Felipe, the capital of Yaracuy state, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 164 people.

Local Efforts

Clodomiro Falcon, president of the Venezuelan Association of Connecticut (ASOVEN CT), expressed his concern for the families affected by the disaster. “My body is here, my mind is there,” he said. “I have so many responsibilities here, and at the same time I want to do things.” Falcon’s family in Venezuela’s central-western region is safe, but he said the devastation across the country has been overwhelming.

In New Haven, Resistencia Medical, a non-profit that has provided humanitarian aid to Venezuela for the past decade, is preparing to send emergency medical supplies to the country. The organization is also directing families to the Missing Venezuela Earthquake website, where people can submit information about missing loved ones in an effort to help locate them.

Both organizations encouraged people who want to help to donate through established humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Cross, or directly to affected family members whenever possible, to help ensure donations reach those in need and to avoid scams.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.