The remote village of Chichiriviche de la Costa, located on the Venezuelan coast, is grappling with dwindling supplies as tourism and local trade have halted in the wake of the recent earthquakes. Despite escaping the twin disasters relatively unscathed, the village's resources have been severely cut off. The World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated a three-month aid program worth $80 million to distribute essential supplies to the community.
Chichiriviche de la Costa, with a population of around 2,000, has seen a steep decline in visitors and fish sales, which were major sources of income. The village received initial aid from the Netherlands via helicopter shortly after the disaster. On a recent visit, the WFP distributed approximately 25 tons of food among 498 families, providing them with rice, pasta, flour, oil, and salt.
WFP emergency coordinator Marc-Andre Prost emphasized the importance of supporting communities like Chichiriviche in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. 'Our objective is to help this community get over that period of time where they won't have any income and make sure that they can meet their essential food needs,' he said.
Local residents, including Andreina Liendo and her four-year-old son, rely on these supplies to survive. 'Thank God, there were no deaths, but there are some minor shortages,' Liendo said. Meanwhile, fishermen like Adalberto Maypora continue to work but face the challenge of selling their catch without tourists.
The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, have left the coastal state of La Guaira in ruins, with at least 5,069 people killed and hundreds of buildings destroyed. As the community struggles to recover, the focus remains on providing essential aid and support to those affected.
