Fatima Andraca saw everything collapse: No one was prepared

Fatima Andraca, who serves as the country director for the Rädda Barnen (Save the Children) organization in Venezuela, was on the twelfth floor of a building when the earthquake struck. As the intense tremors began, she stated that everything around her was instantly razed to the ground and that people were caught completely off guard. Andraca notes that this massive disaster caused panic and fear, but she tried to remain calm as required by her duty. When they descended from the twelfth floor, they witnessed with their own eyes the extent of the destruction suffered by the buildings and structures. These dramatic moments served as a bitter reminder to both her and her team of the immense task awaiting them.

The scale of the destruction was so immense that many surrounding structures had completely collapsed, leaving people trapped under the rubble. Andraca emphasizes that there was a prevailing atmosphere of panic and mixed screams at the scene, stressing that no one was事先 prepared for such massive destruction. Although local rescue teams immediately deployed to the field, it was clear that they were insufficient in the face of the disaster's magnitude. At this point, as experienced personnel of an international aid organization, her priority objective became reaching the survivors and stabilizing the situation. In this chaotic environment, providing first aid services and establishing safe zones were of paramount importance.

Having overcome the initial shock of the earthquake, Andraca and her team are now dedicating all their energy and time to supporting the children in the region. This is because, in such natural disasters, deep and lasting wounds are inflicted on children's psyches alongside the physical destruction. Creating a safe space for children to alleviate their fear and trauma has become one of the most critical stages of the relief efforts. Andraca is striving to look the children in the eye during these difficult times, instilling hope in them, and making them feel there is a light within the darkness. According to her, giving children motivation for the future is far more valuable and urgent than rebuilding destroyed homes.

During these difficult days that Venezuela is going through, the coordination of humanitarian aid organizations plays a vital role. The Save the Children (Çocukları Kurtarın) team has started working on a broad spectrum, ranging from the distribution of essential supplies to providing psychological support services. By maintaining constant communication with the field teams, Andraca prioritizes the rights and well-being of children even under the most challenging conditions. As part of these efforts, special measures are being taken to keep families together and prevent children from going missing. The organization's rapid presence on the ground since the very first moments of the crisis is helping to mitigate the scale of a potential humanitarian catastrophe.

Even though the traces of the disaster may begin to fade, a long and arduous recovery process awaits Venezuela. Fatima Andraca advocates for the planning of not only the emergency response phase but also long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. Meeting the basic needs of the earthquake victims, such as shelter, healthcare, and education, will only be possible if the international community actively supports this process. Andraca's observations in the field also demonstrate that there is no insurmountable difficulty when the local people stand united. Preserving her hopes for the future, Andraca states that she is eager to see smiles on the children's faces and will continue to work towards this cause.