“We were getting ready to watch Brazil play when the alarms went off…”
What was meant to be a peaceful afternoon with her family became, within seconds, an experience that would change Oneida Oyárvez’s life forever.
She lives in Tower 8 of the Ciudad Caribia housing development, one of the buildings that suffered the most severe damage following the recent earthquake that struck Venezuela’s central region.
Seconds That Changed Everything
That afternoon, while the family was preparing to watch a football match, their mobile phones began issuing earthquake warnings. There were a few moments of uncertainty, but the ground gave them no time to react. The first tremor began almost immediately.
Amid the panic, their priority was to protect those who needed them most: their two granddaughters, who were sleeping peacefully in their bedrooms.
Oneida’s husband struggled to remain standing while holding one of the girls. At the same time, her son-in-law held the other child tightly as the force of the earthquake repeatedly threw him against the wall.
Just when they thought the worst was over, a second and even stronger earthquake shook the building from side to side. Cracks began to appear in the walls, objects fell around them, and the deafening sound of concrete made it clear that the building was sustaining serious damage.
Leaving Tower 8 presented another challenge.
The evacuation routes were blocked by rubble and broken pipes that were flooding the corridors. As the usual exits could not be used, residents worked together to break down jammed doors and make their way through the enormous holes that the earthquake had torn through the walls of the ground-floor flats.
Amid the chaos, there were also powerful acts of solidarity.
Together, the residents managed to rescue a neighbour who had shielded her children with her own body when a wall collapsed on top of them. The impact caused a serious spinal injury that required more than five hours of surgery. She is now recovering in Maracay with her family.
Living Through “Zero Hour”
Since that day, Oneida says her community has been living through what they call “Zero Hour”.
Losing their homes was only the beginning. They now endure long days beneath the intense sun and rainy nights that make it difficult to rest. The lack of safe drinking water, portable toilets and adequate sanitation conditions is increasing the risk of disease.
Families are also facing growing numbers of flies and mosquitoes, as well as an urgent need for insect repellent, sunscreen and medication for people living with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
ADRA’s Response
In the midst of this crisis, ADRA Venezuela has deployed its humanitarian response team to address the most urgent needs of families affected in Ciudad Caribia.
As part of its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene response, ADRA is distributing:
- Hygiene kits and family kits, helping families meet their basic personal care and hygiene needs.
- Water-purification tablets and water-storage containers, enabling families to treat and safely store drinking water and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
These activities form part of a comprehensive response designed to protect people’s health, preserve their dignity and stand alongside communities throughout the recovery process.
“We Are Not Alone”
Looking tired but still filled with hope, Oneida acknowledges the support her community has received.
“Right now, we are receiving help from the NGO… They are giving us sleeping mats and personal supplies… and we are still here.”
Her words reflect the feelings of many families who, despite losing almost everything, are finding hope in the solidarity of those who have chosen to stand beside them.
As the emergency continues, ADRA Venezuela remains on the ground, working alongside communities to provide timely humanitarian assistance and help affected families gradually recover their hope of beginning again.
Source: ADRA Venezuela, Pictures ©️ ADRA Venezuela/2026/Elisamuel Devis Fermin