Oakland, UC Davis professor seeks help for his family displaced in wake of major and deadly Venezuelan earthquakes

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — An Oakland professor has launched an online fundraising campaign to help his parents recover after twin earthquakes in Venezuela destroyed their apartment building and displaced family members.

The June 24 earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, devastated parts of Venezuela. Authorities believe more than 5,000 people have died, while the government estimates that 16,750 people have been injured. Crews continue to clear debris nearly a month after the disaster.

Alexander Gamero Garrido, who lives in Oakland and teaches at UC Davis, said he spent hours unsure whether his parents had survived.

“It was probably the longest night of my life,” Jamiro Garrido said.

More: The death toll from the Venezuelan earthquakes exceeds 5,000

He searched for hours for information as pictures of the disaster spread on social media.

“I actually saw that the building they were staying in had collapsed,” he said. “I was very emotionally distraught.”

The family shared a photo of their residence in Playa Grande. The photo was taken a week before the earthquake.

“I was in this apartment they have here. It’s actually my childhood bedroom,” he said.

After the earthquakes, the building turned into rubble.

“Some of the neighbors we knew died,” Jamiro Garrido said. “Some of them were rescued after being buried for 12 hours.”

His parents escaped injury because they were visiting his brother, who lives about five miles away, when the quakes struck.

“My mother said they kept trying to get up and kept falling to the ground,” he said. “Because the shaking was so intense.”

“They spent the night in the car. They were waiting because there was no reception and no electricity.”

MORE: Bay Area raises aid for Venezuela earthquake victims

The quake also damaged his brother’s apartment building, which has been red-flagged due to structural concerns. The family has since moved.

Gamero-Garrido launched a GoFundMe campaign two weeks ago to support his parents and other family members.

“This is my father. His name is Rafael. This is my mother. This is my brother. His name is Vladimir,” he said while showing family photos.

He said the goal is to help move his family to a safer area.

“I spoke to my mother yesterday, two days ago, and my father, two days ago. They are just starting to address the situation,” Jamiro Garrido said.

According to the campaign, donations will help cover the costs of food, medicine and medical care. Organizers also say that 20% of the funds raised will be donated to Doctors Without Borders to support relief efforts in Venezuela.

Government figures indicate that more than 850 buildings were damaged and about 200 buildings collapsed as a result of the earthquakes.

Gamero Garrido said his family was lucky to be able to survive while many others did not. His parents and brother are currently staying with another relative while their next steps are determined.

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