Venezuelans in Boston grieve lives, homes lost after earthquakes
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Cristina Aguilara Sandoval (right), executive director of the Mass. Office for Refugees and Immigrants. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios
Some 2,000 miles from the flattened buildings in northern Venezuela, dozens sang the nation's anthem outside Boston City Hall.
The big picture: Venezuela's Independence Day, which fell on Sunday, was shrouded in grief after last month's deadly earthquakes.
- The quakes left at least 3,535 dead, over 18,000 displaced and thousands more missing amid fragmented rescue and recovery efforts.
Context: An estimated 8 million Venezuelans were already in need of humanitarian aid before the disaster due to strains on public services and supply shortages, per NBC News.
- The disaster has left Venezuelans worldwide, including those in Boston, awaiting word on their unaccounted-for loved ones and friends.
What they're saying: "For those of us who live far away, the distance makes our pain harder to bear," said Cristina Aguilera Sandoval, executive director of the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants.
- "We're here in Massachusetts, but our hearts are over there in Venezuela."
Zoom in: Independence Day didn't feel like a cause for celebration for Eduardo Betancourt, a harpist who played at the flag-raising.
- His family survived, but his heart remained heavy over the deaths and displacement.
- By Tuesday, others at City Hall had received different news about their loved ones.
- To those in Venezuela, he said, "We are praying for you, our dear siblings, you're always in our hearts, and what we want to see is a quick, quick recovery for our beautiful country."
How to help: The Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and the Boston Foundation's Latino Equity Fund are collecting donations to support rescue and recovery efforts, medical care, clean food and water, along with other supplies for displaced families.
- Other fundraising efforts are underway across Greater Boston.
What's next: Venezuela has a long recovery ahead.
- VAM and the foundation plan to build a philanthropic network to support the nation's long-term recovery.
- Those will include efforts to rebuild homes, infrastructure and schools, deliver health care services and offer financial assistance to affected families, per the website.