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FFTP Delivers Thousands of Hygiene Kits in Venezuela, Expands Earthquake Response
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (July 17, 2026) — Nearly one month after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, Food For The Poor (FFTP) and its local partners continue expanding their humanitarian response, distributing thousands of hygiene kits this week while strengthening access to clean water and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery.
The hygiene kits, which contain essential items such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, were purchased from FFTP partner MAP International and packed by hundreds of volunteers at the charity’s Coconut Creek headquarters.
This week, FFTP and its partner Wayuu Taya Foundation distributed 2,000 hygiene kits across six distribution sites serving earthquake-affected families. In addition, another 1,400 hygiene kits were delivered to a Catholic congregation for distribution in Yaracuy, one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes.
Another airfreight shipment carrying hygiene supplies arrived in Venezuela on Thursday, while a third ocean container loaded with aid is scheduled to leave the charity’s Coconut Creek warehouse next week.
“Every delivery marks an important step forward for families trying to rebuild after these earthquakes,” said FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine. “Our local partners are helping us deliver lifesaving assistance to communities that need it most. At the same time, we are already looking beyond the immediate emergency to the long journey of recovery that lies ahead.”
Through its partnership with CADENA International, FFTP is helping provide safe drinking water to approximately 2,000 displaced people in the Brisas de Maiquetía community outside Caracas’ international airport. The project includes water filtration systems, water storage tanks, water trucking, and community training, providing approximately three liters of safe drinking water per person each day.
FFTP is also partnering with Order of Malta Venezuela to support mobile medical brigades serving earthquake-affected communities. Working alongside Vida Más, a volunteer initiative of students and staff from the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), the brigades treated 120 patients in the Vistamar neighborhood of La Guaira.
Since the earthquakes, Order of Malta’s humanitarian response has reached more than 16,000 people, including 3,000 primary healthcare consultations and treatment for 2,500 children.
While emergency aid continues to reach survivors, FFTP is working with local partners to identify opportunities for long-term recovery.
“The needs in Venezuela are changing, and our response is changing with them,” Raine said. “Every gift, every volunteer and every act of generosity helps us reach families today while preparing communities for the recovery that lies ahead.”
Response at a Glance
- • More than 1,100 volunteers have packed 19,220 hygiene kits and 4,620 food kits using donated goods and food purchased by FFTP.
- • PANNA Group donated more than 100 pallets of relief supplies.
- • The Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts and Casa Venezuela New England have organized a donation of two containers of food, hygiene supplies, and over-the-counter medicines, with Amazon Relief coordinating transportation to the FFTP warehouse.
- • Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System donated 17 pallets of relief supplies.
- • The City of Fort Lauderdale donated 7 pallets of relief supplies.
How to Help
As the response evolves, financial gifts become increasingly important because they give FFTP flexibility to meet changing needs, whether that’s shipping relief supplies, supporting trusted partners on the ground or responding to new recovery priorities as they emerge. Supporters can help by:
- • Making a financial gift at foodforthepoor.org/helpvenezuela.
- • Purchasing urgently needed relief supplies through the charity’s Gift Catalog at foodforthepoor.org/venezuelarelief or through the charity’s Amazon list at foodforthepoor.org/venezuelalist
- • Volunteering at FFTP’s Coconut Creek headquarters.
- • Donating approved disaster relief supplies during regular warehouse collection hours.
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]
