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One Month After Venezuela’s Earthquakes, FFTP Continues Relief Efforts While Preparing for Recovery
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (July 29, 2026) — One month after two devastating earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, Food For The Poor (FFTP) has mobilized nearly 260,000 pounds of aid, providing essential goods to thousands of earthquake survivors as emergency relief efforts continue and planning for recovery begins.
Working alongside trusted partners including the Wayuu Taya Foundation, CADENA International, Caritas Venezuela and Order of Malta Venezuela, FFTP has provided medicine, medical supplies, hygiene kits, food, clean water and other essential relief supplies to displaced families, many of whom remain in temporary shelters in and around Caracas and La Guaira.
Since the response began, FFTP and its partners have sent four emergency airfreight shipments and seven ocean freight containers.
“Every shipment delivers more than supplies. It delivers hope and reminds families they have not been forgotten,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “Disasters don’t move neatly from relief to recovery. As we continue meeting urgent needs today, we’re working closely with our partners to understand where Food For The Poor can make the greatest difference in the months ahead.”
Since the response began, Food For The Poor has sent 286 pallets of aid, including:
- • 82 pallets of bulk food, including 70 pallets of MannaPack® meals
- • 65 pallets of medicine
- • 64 pallets of hygiene kits
- • 27 pallets of medical supplies
- • 15 pallets of diapers and wipes
- • 15 pallets of assorted non-food items, including orthopedic items, mattresses, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, toilet paper, masks and gloves
- • 10 pallets of water
- • 8 pallets of family food kits, each providing two meals per day for the average Venezuelan household of three for approximately one week
Together with its partners, FFTP has reached more than 21,900 people. Through partner CADENA International, the organization has also helped provide access to safe drinking water for more than 2,500 internally displaced people. Order of Malta Venezuela’s medical brigade has treated more than 16,000 beneficiaries, including more than 2,500 children.
At the charity’s Coconut Creek headquarters, volunteers contributed 2,826 hours, packing 20,480 hygiene kits, 6,000 food kits and 120 infant care kits destined for families impacted by the disaster.
While distributing relief supplies in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes, FFTP and its partner, the Wayuu Taya Foundation, witnessed firsthand the gratitude of survivors.
“I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for extending this helping hand to the state of La Guaira,” said one woman after receiving a hygiene kit. “We’ve had quite a bit of cooperation from you.”
The expanded response reflects FFTP’s commitment to working through trusted local partners that understand the communities they serve. Together, they are providing emergency relief while laying the groundwork for longer-term recovery through improved access to healthcare, clean water, shelter support and other essential services.
“We’ve been able to reach the most affected communities, assisting thousands of people, all thanks to the collaboration of Food For The Poor,” said Patricia Velásquez, actress, humanitarian and founder of the Wayuu Taya Foundation.
“We’ve brought so much joy, not only through the supplies themselves, but through the handwritten messages volunteers placed inside each hygiene kit,” Velásquez added. “Those simple words of encouragement remind people they are not alone. They bring dignity, gratitude and hope during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.”
As the response enters its next phase, FFTP continues expanding its support for affected families through emergency shelter supplies, mobile medical brigades, improved access to clean drinking water and additional medical assistance in partnership with MAP International.
How to Help
As emergency relief transitions into recovery, financial contributions provide the greatest flexibility to meet evolving needs and support trusted local partners on the ground.
Supporters can:
- • Making a financial gift: foodforthepoor.org/helpvenezuela.
- • Purchase relief supplies through FFTP’s Gift Catalog: foodforthepoor.org/venezuelarelief
- • Purchase items through the Amazon Relief List: foodforthepoor.org/venezuelalist
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is committed to facilitating paths out of poverty and transforming lives. As an interdenominational Christian ministry, we help families across Latin America and the Caribbean. Our efforts span urgent humanitarian relief and long-term development – from emergency aid and hunger alleviation to education, housing, and economic empowerment. We follow a distinctive approach that integrates faith, multi-sector strategies, and trusted partnerships. Whenever possible, we strive to work at the community level, partnering with local leaders and residents to co-create sustainable solutions that address the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
