Malta’s Venezuelans Unite in Solidarity After Quakes
Malta’s Venezuelan Community United in Solidarity, One Week After Devastating Quakes
In the heart of Malta, at the Venezuelan restaurant ‘Arepa’s House’ in Msida, the aroma of Latin American cuisine fills the air, but the usual lively chatter is replaced with a somber atmosphere. The TV in the corner plays footage of the destruction left behind by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, as patrons watch with heavy hearts.
One Week On: The Search for Survivors Continues
It’s been a week since the magnitude 6.5 and 5.8 earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing nearly 2,000 people and leaving thousands more injured or homeless. The international community, including Malta’s Venezuelan community, has been rallying to support those affected. The Maltese government has pledged €100,000 in aid, while local Venezuelans are organizing fundraisers and collections of essential supplies.
“We’re all feeling helpless, but we want to do something, anything to help our families and friends back home,” says Maria Rodriguez, a Malta-based Venezuelan who’s been coordinating relief efforts. “We’re organizing a big event this weekend at the Granaries in Floriana, inviting everyone to come together, donate, and show our solidarity.”
Malta’s Venezuelan Community: United in Crisis
Malta’s Venezuelan community, estimated to be around 5,000 strong, has been brought closer by this tragedy. They’re using social media groups and WhatsApp to share updates, coordinate efforts, and provide emotional support to each other. “We’re like a big family here,” says Rodriguez. “We might be far from home, but we’re not alone.”
Local businesses, like ‘Arepa’s House’, have been collecting donations and offering a portion of their sales to relief efforts. “It’s the least we can do,” says the owner, Carlos. “We’re Venezuelan, and we’re Maltese now. This is our community, and we stand together.”
Meanwhile, Maltese NGOs like Dar tal-Providenza and the Malta Red Cross have been working tirelessly to collect and send aid. “We’ve received an overwhelming response from the public,” says a spokesperson for the Malta Red Cross. “It shows the power of human solidarity, even in the face of such a devastating tragedy.”
