As Venezuela reels from the twin earthquakes that devastated Caracas and surrounding areas, the Chabad shluchim in the capital have launched a relief effort to assist members of the Jewish community who were displaced, left without basic needs, or still waiting for news about missing loved ones.

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck within seconds of each other on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction in Caracas, La Guaira, and other northern regions. By Friday, authorities reported at least 589 dead and 2,980 injured, with thousands more still missing or unaccounted for.

International rescue and aid teams have begun arriving in Venezuela, with the United Nations saying teams from at least 17 countries were heading to the disaster zone. The United States announced $150 million in assistance and search-and-rescue support, while Mexico, El Salvador, Switzerland, Spain, and other countries sent rescue workers, medical supplies, equipment, and humanitarian aid.

As reported earlier by Anash.org, Caracas shluchim initially said that those they had reached in the Jewish community were physically safe, though many were shaken, displaced, or unable to return home.

One of the Caracas shluchos told Anash.org that Chabad began organizing help as soon as the situation unfolded.

“As soon as the whole thing started, we put out a form asking people what they need and asking people what they can help with,” she said. “We’ve been pairing people up, matching the people who said that they can help with the people who said that they need help.”

The shluchim have been preparing Shabbos kits and delivering them one by one to families and individuals known to be in need. Food is also available at Chabad, and accommodations have been arranged for those whose homes were destroyed or are no longer safe to enter.

“Plenty of people have been displaced because their homes are just not there, or they can’t go back,” she said. “We’ve given people places to stay, and there is food available at Chabad.”

Beyond food and shelter, the shluchim have been providing emotional support and delivering basic supplies to people who lost everything in the disaster.

“They don’t have a home now, and they are unable to do anything about it at the moment,” she said. “They don’t have any resources, just the clothes on their back.”

She said the recovery will not be limited to the first few days after the earthquakes, as many families will need ongoing assistance repairing damage, replacing belongings, and rebuilding their lives.

“This is going to be a long-term journey,” she said. “People are going to need a lot of help fixing the damage and devastation that took place over here.”

The shluchim are also working to locate a Jewish woman believed to have been in a building that collapsed. They have been in contact with officials in an effort to identify her and determine her condition, and there may be others who remain unaccounted for as well.

Among the many personal stories emerging from the disaster is that of a beloved worker at the Chabad school, who was one of only two survivors from her building after it collapsed. She is currently hospitalized.

Zoom classes are also being arranged for children who have been unable to attend school in person since the earthquakes, giving them some structure as families deal with displacement, damaged homes, and the ongoing disruption.

The shluchim said they are continuing to assess the needs of the community as more information becomes available and as families begin to understand the extent of the damage to their homes and belongings.

A relief fund has been opened to assist those affected by the earthquakes. Donations can be made at HelpVenezuela.com.

HelpVenezuela.com