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The Empty Cupboards of Venezuela’s Families (19 photos)

As reported last week here in the Atlantic, Venezuela is falling apart. Over the past two years, triple-digit inflation, massive shortages, rising crime rates, and failing public services have left many in desperate situations.  Reuters photographer Carlos Garcia Rawlins visited hard-hit families in Caracas, to listen to their stories and see how little food they had on hand. Rawlins: “The combination of Venezuela’s sky-rocketing prices and chronic product shortages have left many struggling to put regular food on their tables and maintain a balanced diet… poorer families say they are sometimes skipping meals and relying more on starch foods. According to one recent study, 87 percent of Venezuelans say their income is now insufficient to purchase their food needs.”

Rosa Elaisa Landaez (Back) poses for a picture next to her relatives, from left, Albert Perez, Abel Perez and Yeiderlin Gomez at their home in Caracas, Venezuela, on April 23, 2016. “We are eating badly. For example, if we have corn flour, we eat arepas all day. If you have the money you can’t find the foods and if you find you them you do not have enough money,” Landaez said. At right is a photo of all the food available in Landaez’ house on April 23, 2016. (Reuters / Carlos Garcia Rawlins)
http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/05/the-empty-cupboards-of-venezuelas-families/482949/