WILLEMSTAD – The Support Network for Venezuela has launched an emergency donation campaign in Curaçao to assist victims of the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, as well as the volunteers and first responders involved in rescue operations.
The organization is urging residents to donate only clean, unopened, and non-expired items that are in good condition to ensure supplies can be distributed immediately to those in need.
Among the highest-priority items are bottled drinking water, oral rehydration salts, ready-to-eat non-perishable meals, canned food, crackers, energy bars, powdered milk, instant meals, and can openers.
The network is also requesting essential hygiene products, including sanitary pads, baby and adult diapers, wet wipes, toilet paper, soap, face masks, and hand sanitizer.
Special attention is being given to the needs of babies and elderly people affected by the disaster. Donors are encouraged to provide unopened baby food, infant formula, new baby bottles, nutritional drinks such as Ensure, and soft foods that are easy to consume.
Medical and first-aid supplies are also urgently needed. The organization is collecting first-aid kits, sterile gauze, bandages, adhesive bandages, medical tape, saline solution, disposable gloves, disinfectants, thermometers, emergency blankets, and splints.
Unopened, non-expired over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and basic allergy medicines are also being accepted.
However, the organization stressed that it cannot accept expired or opened medications, loose pills, antibiotics, injectable medicines, or controlled prescription drugs.
To support rescue teams and volunteers working in affected areas, the network is also collecting safety equipment, including helmets, heavy-duty work gloves, safety goggles, N95 masks, safety boots, reflective vests, flashlights, batteries, power banks, phone chargers, cables, ropes, whistles, cardboard boxes, and packing tape.
Donors are asked to separate donated items by category whenever possible to facilitate sorting and distribution.
Anyone wishing to contribute can contact the Support Network for Venezuela via WhatsApp at +5999 519 5786. The organization is using the contact number to coordinate donations and match incoming supplies with the most urgent humanitarian needs as the situation in Venezuela continues to evolve.
The donation campaign comes as relief efforts intensify following the powerful earthquakes that caused widespread destruction and left hundreds of people dead or injured, prompting an outpouring of support from across the Caribbean and the international community.