Brazilian popular movements launched the internationalist solidarity campaign “Somos Venezuela”, an emergency financial fundraising initiative to help the victims of the recent earthquakes in the neighboring country. The action, unified around receiving donations via pix, has as its main focus the purchase and sending of medicines and basic supplies to minimize the immediate effects of the disaster on the affected communities.
The mobilization takes place in the face of a devastating scenario generated by the tremors, considered the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century. The most recent balance indicates 1,943 deaths, more than 10,500 injured and around 50,000 missing. Rescue teams have already managed to extract more than 6,400 people alive from the rubble and continue to work on the sixth day of searches, especially in the state of La Guaira, where the shocks were more severe.
According to the campaign guidelines, the option for a unified financial donation aims to increase fundraising and strengthen the unitary character of the Brazilian popular field in this response to the crisis. Organizers highlight that, while governments and international organizations are already sending volunteers for medical support and rescue, the contribution of popular movements will focus on the urgency of providing medicine.
Engagement is also reflected in the political and humanitarian solidarity of organizations operating in the country. The coordinator of the MST Brigade in Venezuela, Rosana Fernandes, highlighted the organization’s historical position in relation to the neighboring country: “We want to reaffirm that we, from the Landless Movement, are always in solidarity with the people of Venezuela”. She pointed out that the movement defends government actions aimed at social structuring based on territories and people.
Regarding the immediate institutional response to the disaster, the MST representative highlighted the commitment of the Venezuelan State and the current president in charge. According to her, the government has spared no effort since the night of the tragedy in searching for alternatives “to ensure that people’s lives are preserved”. Fernandes explained that all public infrastructure and private healthcare spaces were opened and made available for emergency care, in an articulated action.
In the institutional field, Brazil is also part of a support network made up of 51 foreign delegations present in the affected territory. As part of joint government actions, the Navy and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) set up a field hospital in La Guaira to stabilize victims. At the same time, the Consulate General of Venezuela in São Paulo operates on a front restricted to collecting protective equipment (such as helmets and boots) for relief teams.
Amidst the scenario of destruction, MST activists and Brazilian students from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) living in Venezuela are safe. Although the institution’s building in Caracas suffered damage, everyone is well, with access to water, food and shelter, and they now work on the front line of volunteer work, helping to remove rubble, operate community kitchens and manage donation stations.
The tragedy, however, raises warnings about the coverage and dispute of narratives about the Caribbean nation. Rosana Fernandes warned about the media’s stance on the disaster, remembering that the situation in Venezuela has been very evident in recent years. “The bourgeois press will use all the possibilities it has to oppose transformative ideas and processes that transform society”, he highlighted.
For those interested in collaborating with health support for victims, the resources for the “Somos Venezuela” campaign are being concentrated by the Associação Brasil Popular. Transfers can be made using the Pix key [email protected] or via bank transfer to the association’s account at Caixa Econômica Federal (Agency 7731, Current Account 000577559406-8, Operation 1292). The money will be fully allocated to assisting relief teams and homeless families.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
