Venezuelan islander sets up aid appeal following dual quakes

A Venezuelan man living in Jersey has begun an appeal for aid following two devastating earthquakes that killed his brother and hundreds of others.

Mariano Ferreira is collecting donations of clothing, nappies, toiletries  and canned or dried food to send to his home country, where tens of thousands of people have lost everything.

The powerful twin earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 magnitude, occurred on the evening of Wednesday 24 June, destroying whole apartment blocks in the capital city of Caracas and the neighbouring city of La Guaira.

The known death toll has risen to 1,400,  though that figure is expected to rise significantly as around 50,000 are missing.  More than 3,000 are injured.

In a video message, already widely-shared on social media, Mariano, who works at a barber shop in St Helier, said his brother Javier, who was also living in Jersey until recently, was among those killed.

"Many people knew him.  He worked at La Petite Baguette.  Sadly, my brother passed away, as did many friends and family members.

"But there are still people alive who need help, and as brothers and sisters I ask that we search our hearts and help them.

"The Venezuelan people need help.

"The large population of the Portuguese people living here have family in Venezuela.  I ask that we can (come) together to help them. Any donation  - food, water, clothing, shoes, anything at all. 

"This is an unprecedented tragedy and unfortunately Venezuela is not prepared for his."

Mariano is collecting items at his workplace, Beanina Barber Shop on Beresford Street, from 2pm-7pm today (Monday 29 June).

He will then be accepting aid between 9 am and 6pm for the rest of this week.

Mariano has also set up a gofundme page for those able to make a financial contribution towards getting and sending aid to Venezuela.

Mariano also appealed directly to the Government of Jersey to help organise for the aid to be sent.

Jersey Overseas Aid says it is closely monitoring the humanitarian situation and remains in regular contact with is partners on the ground - including the United Nations, Red Cross and Save the Children.

"These organisations, alongside the wider humanitarian community, are undertaking rapid needs assessments and have identified urgent priorities including emergency medical care, shelter, food, clean water and protection for those affected."

JOA says it is reviewing the latest information to make sure support is timely, targeted and responds to the greatest need.  It says it will provide more details in due course once Commissioners have considered recommendations.