A former Jersey café worker who had hoped to return to the Island has been killed in the devastating Venezuela earthquakes, prompting his brother to launch an urgent appeal for aid.
Mariano Ferreira, who works at Beanina Barber Shop in St Helier, has launched a collection of food, clothing and other essential supplies after revealing that his brother, Javier, died in the disaster.
Venezuela-born Javier had previously lived and worked in Jersey at La Petite Baguette and had been planning to return to the island, Mariano said in an emotional video shared hundreds of times on social media.
The earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck on the evening of Wednesday 24 June. Authorities say they have killed at least 1,450 people, injured around 3,000 and left tens of thousands missing.
“Many people knew him”
“Many people knew him. He worked at La Petite Baguette. Sadly my brother passed away as did many friends and family members,” Mr Ferreira said in the video.
Tributes quickly poured in from people who had known Javier during his time in Jersey.
Anabela Jardim wrote: “Such a lovely person Javier rest in peace, sometimes life it’s cruel, be strong Mariano and Gabby.”
Alice De Almeida added: “Oh my gosh I’m in shock. I used to see him every morning before work and he used to make me the best baguettes.
“We called each other queens and we were close. This is a huge shock to me. I’m so sorry.”
“There are still people alive who need help”
Mr Ferreira is now appealing for donations to help others that have been affected by the earthquakes.
He said: “But there are still people alive who need help, and… I ask that we share our hearts and help them.
“The large population of the Portuguese people living here have family in Venezuela.
“I ask that we come together to help them. Any donation water, food, clothing, shoes, anything at all.”
CAN YOU HELP?
Mr Ferreira is now collecting items at his workplace on Beresford Street from 2pm-7pm today (29 June).
For those who cannot donate today, Mr Ferreira will also be accepting donations between 9am and 6pm the rest of this week.
He has also set up a GoFundMe page where people can make financial donations which will go towards getting and sending the aid to Venezuela.
Mr Ferreira has also appealed to the government directly to help him organise the aid that he is trying to send.
Jersey Overseas Aid said it is actively monitoring the situation and is in contact with its partners on the ground.
These include the United Nations, the Red Cross and Save the Children, that are working with the wider humanitarian community.
It added that these partners are undertaking rapid needs assessments and have identified urgent priorities.
These include emergency medical care, shelter, food, clean water and protection for those affected.
Contacted about Mr Ferreira’s appeal, the JOA said it will review this latest information to “ensure that any support provided is timely, targeted and responds to the greatest humanitarian needs”.
