Integral has launched a joint Disaster Response for the impact of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. Eight Integral Members[1] are responding together in this crisis, combining their strengths to serve affected communities better.
Venezuela is facing a national emergency following the two consecutive high-magnitude earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5) of 24 June in the north-central region. Authorities report more than 512 aftershocks. The official toll currently stands at more than 1,700 people dead and over 5,000 injured, with around 12,000 people displaced. Additionally, at least 2,500 structures have been reported as affected, including 38 hospitals and 774 buildings. [Source here].
Integral Members and their Partners will be working with affected communities to provide safe shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, food and essential household items.
On the first joint call Members discussed sharing needs assessments, how to most effectively coordinate individual responses and provide surge capacity to support the response. Members are already sharing communications material which enables fundraising campaigns to be launched in Members’ headquarter countries.
Integral Member ZOA based in the Netherland is present in Venezuela. Kees-Jan Hooglander, ZOA’s Director of the Disaster Response Team, says “It is wonderful to know that all over the world Christians are supporting the affected people in Venezuela in prayer and financially. Through Integral many Christian organisations approach their constituencies to raise funds for support the best positioned Members on the ground. In this way, a quick and quality relief intervention is organised and implemented by organisations who know each other and work together shoulder to shoulder with the same drive of faith and compassion.”
Mike Boomer, who is working with one of ZOA’s partners on the ground, explains, “Here in El Junquito, an entire building housing around 500 people was severely affected by the earthquake – all its inhabitants have been displaced. The main needs we’ve identified are emergency shelter, food assistance, and essential items for cooking, cleaning, and basic hygiene.”
Mike continues, “The hospitals and the pharmacies are running out of supplies. It is a very difficult situation, but what we are seeing is Venezuelans helping each other, helping their families and the most impacted communities.”
In the initial stages of an Integral response, operational and communications coordination calls are held as frequently as necessary, so that Members can share information in the critical phase when needs are acute. The Integral online platform enables Members to share photos and stories, response plans and funding needs.
Integral is a global alliance of 22 Christian relief and development agencies that come together to respond in times of disaster. We believe we can serve people better by uniting our collective reach, funding and expertise.
[1] Ena (Switzerland), Tearfund Belgium, Tearfund Netherlands, Tearfund New Zealand, Tearfund (UK), World Relief (US), World Renew (North America), ZOA (The Netherlands)