11/07/2026
The last two weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions because of the earthquakes that struck Venezuela, changing forever the lives of hundreds of thousands.
According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, the twin earthquakes released a combined seismic energy equivalent to approximately 260 Hiroshima atomic bombs. Just think about that for a moment.
The day of the catastrophe, I couldnโt reach my mum and siblings in Venezuela, which made the situation more worrying. When communications were finally reestablished, I learned her house was severely damaged, but I was relieved to know they were safe.
Then, when the consequences of the disaster started to show up, I was, and I still am, heartbroken as many of you.
Just to think that three years ago, Gerry, my family, and I shared the most fulfilling holidays in La Guaira, Venezuela, the city where the quakes hit hardest, knowing now that people were trapped under rubble in that warm, lively, and welcoming city created a feeling of helplessness that is hard to put into words.
The UN and UNICEF have reported 55,000 people missing, over 3,800 dead, 680,000 children affected, and thousands of pets with no place to go.
And everything happened in less than a minute. Itโs like apocalyptic scenes in a country that has already been shaken for a long time.
News moves quickly, but for us, this tragedy marks a before and after. It makes us realise how life can change forever in a matter of seconds.
That's why enjoying your loved ones, hugging them, and being activaly present is more important than anything else in life.
My mum and her husband are already in a new home that my siblings and I managed to rent as soon as we found a suitable place for them. It will be a new start, but after seeing so much pain, we feel grateful nothing worse happened to them.
For now, Venezuela International Airport remains closed, and commercial flights are suspended. Still, I cannot wait to hold them tightly.
For those who have no one and have lost everything, please consider donating to The World Central Kitchen World Central Kitchen or to the Venezuela Community in Ireland Venezuelan Community in Ireland helping directly since day one ๐๐ป๐ช๐ซ