Malta’s Venezuelan Community Unites as Earthquake Death Toll Rises

Malta’s Venezuelan Community in Shock as Earthquake Death Toll Climbs

Standing outside the Venezuelan Embassy in St. Paul’s Street, Valletta, Maria Rodriguez clutches her rosary, eyes welling up. She’s among the many Maltese residents of Venezuelan origin anxiously following the escalating death toll from the recent earthquakes back home. “It’s like a nightmare,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the hum of traffic.

From the Rock to the Andes

Malta’s Venezuelan community, numbering around 2,000, has been glued to their phones and TV screens, watching in horror as the magnitude of the tragedy unfolds. The quakes, measuring up to 6.5 on the Richter scale, have devastated towns and villages in the South American country, leaving a trail of destruction and grief.

In the heart of Rabat, at the Venezuelan restaurant ‘Arepa’s & Co’, owner Carlos Rangel is trying to keep busy, but his mind is miles away. “I’ve got family in Caracas,” he says, his voice heavy with worry. “I haven’t heard from them since the first quake. The networks are down, and I’m just… I’m just hoping for the best.”

Local Support and Action

Malta’s Venezuelan community has rallied together, setting up collection points at the embassy and various community centers. They’re gathering supplies – food, water, clothing, medicine – to send to the affected areas. “We’re doing our best to help,” says embassy spokesperson, Ana Martinez. “But it’s hard, knowing there’s so much more that needs to be done.”

Locals have also shown their support. A fundraising campaign, ‘Malta for Venezuela’, has been set up, with all proceeds going towards relief efforts. As of today, it’s already raised over €50,000.

Back in St. Paul’s Street, Maria looks up from her rosary. “We’re grateful for the support,” she says, “but it’s not enough. We need more. We need action. We need our government to do something.”