Reporter in Caracas describes earthquake destruction and response in Venezuela

Geoff Bennett:

For more on the devastation in Venezuela, we're joined now from Caracas by Feature Story News reporter Andreina Fermin, who has been covering the disaster from the ground there.

So, you are in Caracas, as we said, as this disaster continues to unfold. Give us a sense of what you have seen and heard on the ground today.

Andreina Fermin, Feature Story News:

I have seen the people on the street trying to find supplies, trying to find water, trying to find food. So they are expecting more help.

That is because Caracas and La Guaira has received help right now, but the other states need it the most, because they haven't received a few help until now.

Geoff Bennett:

The U.S. has deployed elite search-and-rescue teams as part of the international response. What impact is that support having or expected to have?

Andreina Fermin:

Well, the people in Venezuela is really grateful for all the assistance.

We expect from the U.S. all the help that they can do, because we need it the most at this moment. It's no -- it's a reality for Venezuela that we have been suffering from an economic crisis, a social crisis, a political crisis that has hit the country before -- even before this earthquake, and now the situation is even worse after the earthquake.

Geoff Bennett:

How have those challenges, the economic crisis, the political upheaval, how have those challenges affected Venezuela's ability to respond to this current disaster?

Andreina Fermin:

It has been really difficult for Venezuelans to respond to this disaster, because we have a health care system that has been hit very hard for the economic crisis in Venezuela.

We have lost doctors who have left the country. We have to remember that the crisis in Venezuela is really hard, and now they have to recover after all this without work or without money or without savings or without a house to continue in this -- after this crisis.

Geoff Bennett:

Feature Story News reporter Andreina Fermin reporting tonight from Caracas, Venezuela.

Andreina, thank you for your time.

Andreina Fermin:

Thanks, you guys.