ORLANDO, Fla. — Organizations in Orlando are collecting donations and offering support for Venezuelans after twin earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, killing more than 1,900 people, according to the government.
Nearly a week after the earthquakes, crews continued search-and-rescue efforts in the region as thousands remained without homes and families searched for loved ones. Some registries estimate that more than 60,000 people remain missing.
Eleana Andrade, a Venezuelan national in Orlando, said the disaster has been difficult for families watching from afar.
“There’s no words to explain the feelings that we have, because it’s like a roller coaster,” Andrade said. “Some days, it’s like you feel that you’re destroyed completely. But at the same time, we need to be strong and we need to be together.”
Andrade said her brother-in-law is one of the volunteers helping families in Maracay, Aragua state. She said he is working alongside his 18-year-old son to help with rescue efforts.
“After five days, today is practically no hope,” Andrade said. “But they are still there, trying with their own hands.”
In Orlando, Andrade joined a group of Venezuelans at Aguilar Salud collecting donations for people in need.
“I’m a Venezuelan immigrant, so it really hits me close because we need to help our people,” said Jose Aguilar, executive director of Aguilar Salud. “We’re organizing different folks from Venezuela and other countries, collecting items that they really need.”
Aguilar said the group is accepting first aid kits, baby items, shoes, clothing and toiletries. The donations will be taken to Miami to be sent to Venezuela by Wednesday.
“It really hurts, but the most important thing is to ensure that our people get the help they need,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar said he also has family members in Venezuela helping with response efforts, including a cousin and an aunt in Caracas. He said friends working as firefighters and volunteers are also assisting.
Nearby, leaders with Casa de Venezuela Orlando partnered with Bravo Supermarkets to discuss ways the community can help.
William J. Diaz, founder of Casa de Venezuela Orlando, said donations should be organized before they are sent.
“We cannot send them boxes of troubles,” Diaz said. “We must send the material classified, what is for baby, for baby; what is food for food; what is clothes, for clothes; what is medical supply, medical supply.”
He said they plan to work in three phases. Phase 1 is to provide the rescuers working on the ground in Venezuela with support and assistance. Phase 2 will be the collection of items for donations, and Phase 3 will be putting together a request to the U.S. government to stop deportations of Venezuelan nationals amid the crisis the country is facing.
Donations can be dropped off at any Bravo Supermarket locations in the region. The Orlando Regional Realtor Association is also offering its offices at 5421 Diplomat Circle in Orlando as a donation collection site.
“In times of need, people can’t eat thoughts and prayers. They can’t digest thoughts and prayers; they need actual support,” said Cliff Long, chief executive officer of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.
Casa de Venezuela is also partnering with the foundation All for Venezuela to provide medical supplies to first responders and doctors in Venezuela who are assisting in the search-and-rescue operations.