Where to send help after the Venezuela earthquakes
Families keep asking where to send help after the Venezuela earthquakes of June 24. For example, we spent two days contacting local organizations on the ground. Above all, the situation is critical. Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency, according to public reports. Buildings have collapsed, people are still missing, and many families have lost their homes.
First, we spoke with each group below, and we support them now. That is our view, not a guarantee of impact. However, we have not audited their finances or their spending. Therefore, please review each organization before you give. This article is educational, and it is not investment, tax, or legal advice.
What we checked before we published
We confirmed that each group has a public presence and an active response to the June 24 damage. In addition, we read the statements each group published itself. However, we did not examine audited accounts or program budgets. In other words, treat this list as a starting point. Therefore, read a little on your own before you send money.
Where to send help after the Venezuela earthquakes
Deciding where to send help after the Venezuela earthquakes comes down to two questions. First, does the group already work in the country? Next, can it show what it is doing this week? Each organization below answers both.
CADENA
CADENA is a global foundation that responds to humanitarian crises and already works in Venezuela. In practice, its donation page directs gifts to earthquake relief, according to CADENA. Of course, you should still read its own update before you give.
FUNDANA
FUNDANA takes in children who lost parents in the earthquakes or whose parents remain missing. In addition, it covers basics such as food, medicine, and clothing. As a result, a gift here supports care that lasts beyond the first week.
We Love Foundation
In contrast, this group began in 2013 as I Love Venezuela Foundation. It reports more than a decade of delivering medicine, food, and supplies. Meanwhile, it has activated its network for earthquake relief.
Hebraica JCC in Caracas
The local Hebraica JCC has stepped forward as an emergency response center. According to JCC Global, it has opened its doors to hundreds of people in urgent need. For instance, a center like this can shelter neighbors who cannot go home. Most importantly, it already stands inside the community it serves.
How to vet a relief group in ten minutes
Fortunately, a quick check takes only a few minutes.
- First, open the group’s own site and look for a dated update about the earthquakes.
- Next, check whether the donation page names this specific response.
- In addition, look for a street address and a named contact in Venezuela.
- Finally, search the group’s name with the word report and read what others say.
In practice, a group that passes these four checks deserves your money.
Sending money from abroad
Transfers into Venezuela can stall, so many donors give through an international account instead. For example, several of the groups above collect card payments on their own sites. Meanwhile, smaller groups may ask for a wire through a partner abroad. In practice, that extra step can add a day or two. Fortunately, every link on this list opens a working payment page.
Other ways to help
These are the main organizations we reached, but of course many more people need help. For instance, you may be giving through another group. If so, please share it with us. Next, some of these organizations need volunteers in Venezuela. If you are interested, let us know, and we can try to coordinate.
Volunteering and sharing what you know
Groups need volunteers with medical, logistics, and construction skills most of all. In addition, translators help crews coordinate across borders. Meanwhile, people outside the country can raise money inside their own networks. Above all, a shared link travels further than a single donation.
After the first weeks pass
Attention fades quickly after a disaster, yet rebuilding takes years. Therefore, consider a small monthly gift instead of one large transfer. In contrast, a one-time gift covers the urgent week and then stops. Finally, thank you for showing up for Venezuela.
