The Regional Director for Communities and External Cooperation, Sancho Gomes, dedicated part of his official visit to Venezuela to Madeiran families affected by the June 24 earthquakes. The visits took place in Caracas and La Guaira, where families are receiving support from the NGO Regala Una Sonrisa, funded by the Regional Government of Madeira.
Sancho Gomes spoke with those affected, learned about their difficulties, and observed the assistance and housing recovery efforts. The NGO Regala Una Sonrisa received 55,000 euros from a total of 180,000 euros mobilized by the regional government to aid earthquake victims in Venezuela.
Among those visited was Teresa Martins, who lost part of her home in Los Teques and had to move to Los Angeles. "What I want most is to be able to recover my house and have a safe place to call home again. Alone, it would be very difficult, practically impossible. But Francisco Soares, through the Regala Una Sonrisa association, and the Regional Government of Madeira are giving me this opportunity and restoring my hope," Martins stated.
Celina Gomes and José Maria Gomes, residents in Venezuela for over 40 years, were also visited. "Our house was severely damaged. The NGO's support was fundamental," said Celina Gomes. José Maria Gomes expressed his gratitude: "I am here thanks to the Regional Government of Madeira and thanks to this young man [Francisco Soares] who never gave up." Sancho Gomes praised Regala Una Sonrisa's work, calling it "an irreplaceable pillar of humanity in Venezuela."
