American journalist trapped after Venezuela earthquakes, Fresno family collects life-saving supplies

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Following rare twin earthquakes in Venezuela that left thousands dead and injured, a Fresno family is collecting life-saving supplies to be sent to the region.

"Our community in the Central Valley, it was asking me 'Let's do something! Let's do something!' I tried to help put everybody together to send these donations. Because right now, this is a crucial moment," said Mary Bastos, who is from Venezuela and has lived in Fresno for 9 years.

Search and rescue efforts are still underway in the Latin American country more than 72 hours after the natural disaster.

Oriana Bottaro is an American journalist originally from Venezuela, who was in Caracas when the quakes rocked Venezuela's capital city.

"Everything started shaking," said Bottaro. "The birds started flying everywhere. And we had no idea what was going on."

She says what has followed would not have been nearly as devastating if the country had proper resources and infrastructure.

"We don't have functioning hospitals. We don't have ambulances. We don't have medicine. We don't have anything. They're looting pharmacies, supermarkets. There's bodies on the ground still. They don't have a place to put the bodies. They're extorting families at the morgue. It's absolute madness," Bottaro said.

The lack of official rescue and communication efforts is something that sent shock waves around the world -- including here in Fresno County.

"I was glad to hear that my cousin -- he was okay after three hours to try to call, try to call," said Bastos.

Bastos still has family in Venezuela and says she began collecting donations to send to Venezuela after seeing the images of what happened in her home country.

"Sending these donations is like hugging everybody in Venezuela," Bastos said.

"I am so grateful to everybody that has reached out, asking how they can help. I mean... Global Empowerment Mission in Miami has been incredible," said Bottaro.

Bottaro says she is grateful for international humanitarian aid, which she says has allowed Venezuelans to focus on finding victims like her friend's father, who's rescue was caught on camera.

Bastos and her husband are currently receiving donations at their home at 4678 N Safford Ave near Old Fig Garden.

Starting Sunday, donations can also be dropped off at the Catedral Episcopal Santiago Apostol. Bastos said she will help receive donations there from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

She is asking for donations including medical supplies and baby supplies.

The Global Empowerment Mission will pick up donations on July 5th to bring to Venezuela.