Two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela yesterday, just seconds apart. The stronger of the two, measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, was the largest the country has recorded in over a century. As of Friday morning, authorities reported at least 589 deaths and more than 2,980 injuries, a number that could continue to rise.
The Venezuelan community in the United States is organizing to send aid back home. So far, from North Carolina, these are the organizations and resources available.
Alliance of Venezuelans in Charlotte (AVC)
AVC is an organization formed by Venezuelans in Charlotte in 2016 to support Venezuelan immigrants seeking to settle in and around the city.
In response to the earthquake, the organization is organizing to collect aid locally and plans to open a collection center in Charlotte, as confirmed to Enlace Latino NC Arturo Uzcategui, a member of the organization.
Uzcategui said that, based on what they know so far, the greatest needs are medicines and baby products. Donations, Uzcategui reported, will be received at The Latin Corner in Pineville (705 Main Street, Pineville, NC)
Those who wish to help can contact us via Instagram or the website: instagram.com/avccharlotte avccharlotte.org
Manolo's Bakery / By Immigrant Hands
Manolo's Bakery, one of Charlotte's best-known Latino bakeries, is accepting donations of supplies to send to Venezuela. Its owner, Manuel "Manolo" Betancur, has previously organized humanitarian campaigns, including several aid trips to bakeries in Ukraine. Cash donations are being accepted through By Immigrant Hands, one of his initiatives.
- Donation point: Manolo's Bakery, 4405 Central Ave, Suite CCharlotte.
- Donate cash: byimmigranthands.com
ReliefBox
ReliefBox is a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization that sends essential items, such as food, clothing, and over-the-counter medications, to families in Venezuela and the state. In response to the earthquake, its members are organizing to coordinate the delivery of aid to the affected areas.
Donations are now open and can be made in cash through the website. “You can donate cash through the website. The cash will help send supplies and also funds to churches for food,” Zurilma Anuel, a Venezuelan and founder of the organization, told Enlace Latino NC .
Website for donations: reliefbox.org
Collection centers in the Raleigh area
A group of volunteers in the Raleigh area is collecting medical supplies to send to Venezuela through the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). The donations are first transported to Florida for consolidation and then shipped to Venezuela, a process that can take several days. For this reason, the organizers are asking people to prioritize cash donations through the official GEM website, as these arrive more quickly.
What is needed: Medicines and medical supplies such as gauze, syringes, and alcohol wipes are needed. They ask that bottles not be sent to reduce the weight of the boxes.
Donation points in Raleigh:
- Cary Christian Church: 555 SW Maynard Rd, Cary
- BB's Grill: 1612 S Miami Blvd, Durham, NC, 27703
- D'Lujo Grill: 2822 New Birch Dr #106, Raleigh
- New Hope Church: 6551 Meridien Drive, Suite 131, Raleigh, NC, 27616
Donate cash: globalempowermentmission.org
Also during this weekend, the "Todos con Venezuela + Casa Venezuela Triangle" operation will take place in Raleigh.
1) 1500 Heron Pond Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 – Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
2) Olga's Fireplace, 7806 Elmshire Way, Raleigh, NC 27616 – Saturday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Casa Venezuela North Carolina-Triangle also has collection points at:
6241 St Regis Cir. Apt. 201, Raleigh, NC 27606 (5 minutes from Downtown Cary, 10 minutes from Downtown Apex, and 12 minutes from Downtown Raleigh), 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC, 27607 (La Roca Baptist Church) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Donation centers in the Triad
The Alliance of Venezuelans in Charlotte, Somos Ciudadanos del Mundo, and Faith Action International have set up several collection centers in North Carolina to receive donations to support affected communities in Venezuela.
The campaign will collect drinking water, non-perishable food, medical supplies, batteries, and flashlights.
Greensboro, NC
4710 Sedgelane Dr, Greensboro, NC, 27407
2005 Yanceyville St, Suite 101, Greensboro, NC, 27405
Kernersville, NC
900 Old Winston Rd, #214
1180 NC Hwy 66 South
Kernersville, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
2505 Viceroy Dr, Unit B, Winston-Salem, NC, 27103
400 McLean Ave, Winston-Salem, NC, 27127
Clemmons, NC
Food Truck PAQ' CARLOS
1520 Lewisville Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC
For more information, call:
(336) 362-2015; (336) 303-6628; (786) 438-9663; (980) 318-4294; (336) 997-7718; (336) 409-0526 and (336) 456-7540
We Love Foundation
We Love Foundation Inc., formerly known as I Love Venezuela Foundation, is a Miami-based non-profit organization that receives donations from anywhere in the country.
In response to the earthquake, it launched an emergency aid campaign to support affected families and communities. The foundation is working in partnership with Global Empowerment Mission and with several Venezuelan non-profit organizations.
According to the organization, the aid will include food, water, medical care, hygiene kits, shelter supplies, logistics, and direct support to the most vulnerable families.
How to help: donate at welove.foundation or in the GoFundMe campaign “Emergency Relief for Venezuela Earthquake Victims”.
What is needed most urgently?
This is the list of what is most needed, by category:
- Nonperishable food: canned proteins (chicken, beef, tuna, sardines, Vienna sausages), canned fruits, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, canned beans and vegetables, ramen, snacks (protein bars, crackers, jerky), ready-to-eat meals (RMEs), and cases of water.
- Hygiene: toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper and wet wipes.
- Babies and children: diapers, wipes, new baby bottles, baby hygiene products and new clothes.
- Temporary domestic needs: Sleeping bags, tents, cots, inflatable mattresses, blankets, pillows, backpacks, work gloves and boots, KN95 masks, tarpaulins, flashlights, batteries (AA, AAA, D), portable radios, first aid kits, water filters and solar power banks.
- Pets: canned food for dogs and cats, water bowls and leashes.
The organizers of the donation and collection campaigns request that several items, such as sleeping bags, tents, mattresses, and blankets, be new.
Related: Nearly 2,000 boxes of supplies collected in Charlotte for earthquake victims in Venezuela
Other resources
Re-establishing contact with family members
Venezuelan Red Cross. It activated its Restoring Family Links service for those who have lost contact with a loved one in Venezuela. To call from North Carolina: +58 422 799 4880.
Venezuela Together. An online citizen tool for reporting missing persons, notifying that someone has been found, and organizing support. It does not replace official services. Website: venezuelajuntos.online
Call Venezuela:
If you need to contact a Venezuelan cell phone or landline directly from abroad, organizations recommend using these apps:
- talk360 It calls directly to cell phones and landlines. The recipient doesn't need internet access or to install any app.
- Send It allows you to call Venezuelan numbers using your prepaid balance. The other person does not need to have the app.
- Rebel International calls to real numbers with good quality. The recipient does not need internet or an app.
*This story will be updated with new information as soon as it becomes available.
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