Reflection

Humanitarian crises heavily rely on media for much more than solely in the name global awareness or global education. News sources report on a number of different crises every day, making it nearly impossible to truly comprehend every injustice we learn about and simultaneously take action to assist or support any one cause. This phenomenon, labeled as “forgotten crises” by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, is defined as a severe, protracted humanitarian crisis where people are receiving insufficient or no international aid. This can be in relation to political conflict, natural disasters, or health crises, or a combination of the three. The way these crises are presented to the public greatly affects how they are handled. Media coverage greatly influences humanitarian aid and advocacy work from other communities that are not directly affected by a crisis. When the media loses interest in reporting on a crisis, the chances for global support plummets.

How can we continue to have these important conversations after they have been presented to us? The Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat met with Fr. Luis Ovando Hernàndez, SJ, to discuss the humanitarian crisis being faced in Venezuela, his home country. In 2014, the UNHCR declared Venezuela as a country with a refugee crisis. Since this declaration, there has been an 8,000 percent increase in the number of Venezuelan seeking refugee status. Fr. Luis described the history of the economic and political crisis in Venezuela, and his hopes for the future. This crisis is triggered by ongoing human rights violations and socio-economic turmoil, leaving Venezuelans with a lack of food, medicine, and essential services, becoming one of the largest displacement crises in the world.

Understanding the difficulties being faced is an important first step to take to be able to advocate for those who are facing injustices outside of their control. In Venezuela, there are two leading injustices that the crisis is comprised of. Poverty, one of the two, affects most of the communities in Venezuela. According to a report published in 2020 by the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, the average income in Venezuela was 72 U.S. cents (.68 Euro) a day. 96 percent of Venezuelans live in poverty, with 70 percent living in extreme poverty. “They are not awarded the necessities, material and otherwise, of life”, Fr. Luis explains. this inescapable poverty has created a “demand for dignity” that is not fulfilled by the Venezuelan government. The second injustice Fr. Luis identifies is the role that politics plays in the day-to-day life of Venezuelans. For decades, “the people were not supported by their government to protect them and ensure that their needs were met”.

The distinct difficulties that Venezuelans have faced throughout the leadership of the past two decades directly contributes to the decreased of quality of life. The main way in which these leaders have contributed to this poverty is through the corruption within the government, leading to the mismanagement of many important aspects of a well-functioning country. This corruption has created hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and violence. The extraction of oil, a very rich natural resource, has created many problems for citizens as well. Fr. Luis explains that Venezuela is a country rich in natural resources, but “the people that live above these underground riches are not benefiting from them”. Instead, they were employed to extract them, “the fruits of their labor not going into their pockets, but into the pockets of those in power”. Because of this inability to make a living by cultivating these resources, there has been an exodus of Venezuelans immigrating to countries with a better quality of life.

Although many Venezuelans have been immigrating in search of a more secure life, it is still extremely difficult to successfully resettle in another country. It is important to note how dangerous it can be to migrate, many risking their lives by going through the deserts, on boats, and over borders without the guarantee of stability. “The justice lies within having equal opportunity to live comfortably in their own country”, Fr. Luis delineates. Calling for action, he continues, “I think that we need to start moving towards a reconciliation, in which striving for social justice will allow us to see our similarities instead of our differences. This is the first and most important step to reconciliation.”

This call to action has most recently been presented to the Jesuits in the 36^th General Congregation; specifically, a call for reconciliation with God, humanity, and towards the renewal of apostolic life, appealing directly to the young, the poor, and the marginalized. To reconcile with God, “the Society must respond more decisively to the Church’s call for a new evangelization, giving special emphasis to ministry to and with the young and with families. This unconditional love from God “roots us in gratitude… and opens us to joy”, along Christ’s love to be a “source of life for all”[1]. Reconciling with humanity is a challenging feat, but Father Luis recognizes the imperative nature of halting the violence in Venezuela. The General Congregation asks, “Jesuits, along with all who seek the common good…to contribute from their religious-spiritual traditions towards the building of peace, on local and global levels”[2].

Searching for peace out of violence creates an undeniable strength, one that can override the need for power or greed. Further speaking of this peace, The Congregation calls the Society to enter “a renewal of our apostolic life founded on hope…to bring a message of hope, born of consolation from our encounter with the Risen Lord. This renewal focused on hope includes all our diverse apostolates”[3]. Father Luis emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in this mission of peace in times of turmoil and uncertainty. Taking steps towards reconciliation will give Venezuela the support needed to thrive in its totality.

[1]General Congregation 36. Decree 1.22.

[2]General Congregation 36. Decree 1.28.

[3]General Congregation 36.Decree 32.