Family of pastor killed in earthquakes in Venezuela campaigns to fund R$50,000 in transfer

Family of pastor from Uberlândia campaigns for transfer after death in Venezuela
The family of pastor Romildo Batista de Lima, 69 years old, resident of Uberlândia, in the Triângulo Mineiro, started an online campaign to raise R$50,000 and pay for the transfer of the body to Brazil. Romildo died during the earthquakes that hit Venezuela last Wednesday (24).
The death was confirmed by his wife, Carlha Nacarid, who was injured and remains hospitalized in the country. The information was passed on to g1 by her niece, Jhulya Ribeiro de Lima.
According to Jhulya, after several contacts with the family, the embassy began the necessary procedures for the return of the body. The transfer process has already started, including the issuance of the death certificate, a document that the family members were waiting for.
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According to TV Integração, the family members managed to get a commercial flight to transport the body on Saturday (27). But, after being released to the funeral home, they were informed that the state of conservation of the body did not allow boarding on a commercial aircraft.
Given the situation, the family had to look for another alternative for the transfer, the estimated cost of the procedure being around R$50,000.
To raise the amount, the relatives then created a virtual fundraiser. The objective is to bring the body to Brazil and ensure that Romildo is laid to rest and buried close to his family. The campaign is available on family members' social networks.
"As the costs are very high, the online crowdfunding will both help pay for the transfer, and also help Carla, my uncle's wife who is still hospitalized", said Jhulya.
Family faces difficulties in bringing body to Brazil
Romildo and Carlha
Reproduction/Social Media
Romildo's family found out about what happened unexpectedly, after seeing a report about the earthquake and trying to contact the couple. Hours later, Carlha managed to communicate and reported the tragedy. Since then, relatives have faced difficulties in bringing the body to Brazil, reporting delays and a lack of clear information.
For the family, Romildo's body is expected to arrive in Uberlândia this week for burial.
The report questioned the Brazilian embassy about the transfer and expected arrival of the body, but no information was provided.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only reported that it has been monitoring the situation of the Brazilian community in Venezuela since the first moments after the earthquakes, providing consular assistance in accordance with legislation.
The body highlighted that assistance to families follows regulations and, in respect for the right to privacy and the Access to Information Law, it does not disclose or confirm citizens' personal data, nor does it provide details about the assistance provided.
"It's very desperate because we want to bring my uncle, mainly to hold a dignified wake for him. They keep telling each other", said the niece.
➡ On Wednesday night (24), two earthquakes in a row hit the northern region of the country, where Caracas is located. In addition to the deaths, the tremors collapsed buildings and left a trail of destruction in the Venezuelan capital and surrounding areas. The earthquakes were the strongest in the country in more than 100 years.
The Venezuelan government updated the number of deaths on Sunday (28) to 1,450, in addition to 3,150 injured and around 50,000 missing.
The Brazilian government, in turn, confirmed the death of two Brazilians, without disclosing their identities, and reported that it was providing consular assistance to the families.
Pastor died in earthquakes in Venezuela four days after celebrating his 69th birthday
Romildo had turned 69 on the 21st
Reproduction/Social Media
Pastor visited his wife's family in Caracas
Four days before the tragedy, Romildo had celebrated his 69th birthday alongside his wife, during the trip to Caracas to visit her family. On Wednesday (24), when earthquakes hit the region, the couple tried to take shelter, but a wall collapsed on them. The couple would return to Brazil on Friday (26).
Romildo was rescued alive, taken to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and died the following morning. Carlha survived, but suffered a fractured pelvis and remains hospitalized, deeply shaken by her husband's death.
Natural from Chapada de Minas (MG), Romildo had built a life in Uberlândia, where he had lived for more than ten years. Evangelical pastor, although he was not currently working, he was remembered by his family as a man of faith, affectionate and passionate about traveling.
"My uncle was a very good person, a radiant person, who loved traveling and enjoying life. It's very sad to see people like that lose their lives in this way, especially with such a degree of neglect", lamented Jhulya.
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Pastor who died during the earthquakes in Venezuela was visiting his wife's family
Romildo Batista de Lima
Reproduction/Social Networks
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Source: G1