Venezuela earthquakes prompt US Venezuelans to organise donation drives and send supplies

Venezuelans living in the United States were arranging donation drives on Thursday after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. Officials said at least 188 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Many families in the US were also trying to contact relatives. Community groups began collecting money, water, medicines and first aid items for quick delivery.

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The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit on Wednesday night. The tremors badly damaged the main airport in Caracas. That damage could slow aid flights into the country. The quakes were among Venezuela’s strongest in more than a century. Photos showed injured children, animals and civilians being pulled from dusty rubble.

Venezuelan earthquakes prompt aid in Doral, Florida

Oscar Torres, who lives in Doral near Miami, said messages flooded a WhatsApp group. The group links Venezuelans with family members back home. Doral has the largest Venezuelan population in the US. "Already this morning, I was looking at the group in Doral and everybodys pitching in -- money, medicine, water. First, necessity items,\" said Torres.

Torres, a sales manager who moved to the US from Venezuela in 1995, said people wanted speed. \"Theyre talking about making the first shipment ASAP.\" Torres said local officials and advocacy groups in Doral shared donation needs online. They also did it during news conferences. Torres planned to give money for these efforts.

Torres said relatives in Caracas and Valencia were affected by the shaking. Some were hurt while running out of buildings, Torres said. \"Their homes are destroyed and a few buildings have collapsed,\" Torres said. \"Thankfully, I dont know anyone who passed away.\" Thousands were missing, which kept families in the US searching for updates.

Venezuelan earthquakes drive donation sites in Houston and Katy

Across the US, more than 7,70,000 Venezuelans live in the country. Large communities are in Texas and Utah, along with Florida. In the Houston area, residents used Facebook groups and other social media. They shared lists of donation sites and urgent supply needs. Many collection points were based in and around Katy.

Katy is about 48 kilometres west of downtown Houston. It has the nickname Katyzuela due to its Venezuelan community. Donors were asked for medical items and first aid supplies. The list included gauze, bandages, antiseptics and disposable gloves. It also included face masks, syringes, thermometers and blood pressure monitors.

Daniel Arenas, a local resident, posted information in English on LinkedIn on Thursday. Arenas said the aim was to reach more people across Houston. \"I came to this country 10 years ago, built a life here, but my heart is still in Venezuela,\" Arenas said. \"Its devastating whats happening over there. They dont have the resources to handle this.\"

Arenas, a maritime industry consultant, said the earthquakes caused fear for family in Caracas. Arenas said a WhatsApp message from an aunt described panic inside a high-rise home. \"She was crying and screaming and saying she was in pain but not sure from where,\" Arenas said. \"She said she lost everything. She was desperate.\" Arenas said later contact was made.

As donation efforts expanded, families kept tracking damage reports and missing persons notices. Airport problems in Caracas remained a concern for fast deliveries. Still, Venezuelan communities in Florida and Texas continued gathering supplies and funds. Organisers said the focus stayed on basic items and medical needs while relatives awaited more news from home.

With inputs from PTI