Stories of hope from Venezuela

Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters, more than 20 metric tonnes of lifesaving humanitarian aid have arrived in Venezuela.

Essential items including tents, hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping mats, solar lamps, mosquito nets and jerry cans have been shipped from UNHCR’s stockpile in Panama to support families affected by the earthquakes.

This assistance is already helping provide a lifeline for people like Yolimar, Enni and Francy.

Amid the devastation, here are three stories of hope.

Yolimar alongside her children. © UNHCR/Diana Diaz

Yolimar, mother of six, returned to Venezuela from Ecuador last year. Now, she is trying to rebuild her life after the earthquakes destroyed her home in La Guaira.

She and her family are now receiving vital essentials such as healthcare, food and nutritional support to help prevent hunger and support to recover lost legal documentation.

Despite everything she has lost, Yolamir remains determined on providing a better future for her children.

“I am a strong woman, I believe things will get better for my children.”

Enni alongside her mother at a transitional camp. © UNHCR/Diana Diaz

Enni tragically lost her home in La Guaira when the earthquake struck. After helping an injured friend and her baby evacuate a damaged building, Enni rushed to find her mother and three children, only to discover that her house had collapsed.

Following a desperate search, Enni was eventually reunited with her family. Today, they are now receiving key legal assistance and mental health support to help them process the trauma of the last few weeks and to begin rebuilding their lives.

© UNHCR/Diana Diaz

When the earthquake struck La Guaira, Francy travelled more than 300 kilometres from Puerto La Cruz to help her family. The disaster left her relatives grieving the loss of a loved one and struggling to recover after losing their home and sense of stability.

Today, Francy helps care for four children affected by the tragedy while her family navigates the difficult road to recovery. At a Transitional Camp, they’ve all received mental health support, and Francy has received advice on caring for and protecting the children, helping to give them the security and stability they need in the weeks and months ahead.

Donations do more than provide critical essentials.

It gives displaced families hope and the opportunity to recover and rebuild their lives after unimaginable trauma, whether in Venezuela or in other countries like Lebanon, Sudan and Ukraine.

The needs of Venezuelans and displaced people across the world remain enormous but with the compassion and kindness of our generous supporters, we can all help make a meaningful difference wherever necessary.

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To find out more about the earthquakes in Venezuela, visit our website here.

For more information on the displacement crises in Venezuela, visit our website here.