In the wake of a devastating June 24 earthquake that left Venezuela reeling from thousands of casualties and widespread destruction, cross-border humanitarian efforts are gaining momentum, with two Antiguan organizations stepping forward to deliver critical financial support to relief operations.
The Halo Foundation has partnered with Roberts & Co. Attorneys-at-Law, a prominent firm led by His Excellency Sir Clare Roberts, to contribute a $10,000 monetary donation to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s earthquake recovery initiative. The donation was formally presented at Antigua and Barbuda’s Government House, directed to the official “From Rubble, We Rise” relief campaign that is coordinating resources for affected communities.
Speaking on behalf of Venezuela, Her Excellency Carmen Velásquez, the nation’s ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, extended sincere gratitude to the two organizations for their timely humanitarian gesture. She outlined the staggering human cost of the disaster to date: nearly 5,300 people have lost their lives, close to 17,000 have sustained injuries, and more than 18,000 people have been left displaced and without permanent shelter after the earthquake destroyed homes and infrastructure across affected regions.
Velásquez emphasized that recovery work remains far from complete, and called for continued international solidarity to support Venezuela’s relief and reconstruction efforts. She noted that the country has already received vital assistance from a range of nations, including fellow member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but added that more support is still needed. “Because one suffering person, is one person too much,” she said, outlining that priority needs include additional relief supplies: medical provisions, staple food products, construction materials for rebuilding damaged infrastructure, and further financial contributions to scale up recovery work.
Amsha Ann Eusebe, Chief Administrator of Roberts & Co. Attorneys-at-Law, shared that the firm could not stand idle while neighboring Venezuela faced crisis. “We are our brothers’ keepers,” Eusebe stressed. She added that Caribbean nations are no stranger to natural disasters, with Antigua and Barbuda itself facing high risk of hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. “At any moment, this tragedy could move even closer to home,” she said, explaining that regional solidarity is a matter of collective responsibility for all Caribbean nations.
Her Excellency Lady Williams also offered heartfelt support to Velásquez and the people of Venezuela, and publicly commended Roberts & Co. for serving as exemplary corporate citizens. She noted that while the firm had preferred to complete the donation quietly, out of the public eye, it was important to recognize their contribution and leadership openly. “I also recognize the importance of sharing initiatives such as this with others, so that they too can become active in the rebuilding of a crumbled nation,” Lady Williams said. “Nothing is impossible once all hands are on deck. One brick at a time. One child at a time, pulled from below a mangled pile of steel. One prayer at a time.”
Community members and organizations interested in contributing to Venezuela’s official earthquake relief fund are invited to make donations through the fund’s official channels.