Shipment of relief supplies being prepared for Venezuela

Relief supplies collected through the St Dominic’s Penal parish Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (PMMR) and other church ministries will be shipped to Venezuela on Saturday, July 25.

Humanitarian assistance continues to be provided by various countries as needs have risen exponentially following the devastating 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes on June 24.

Christina John of the PMMR told The Catholic News an inventory of the shipment will be  submitted July 23 to an official of the cargo vessel. The vessel, which usually operates between Tucupita and San Fernando, will transport the supplies to Tucupita for collection by Caritas Tucupita personnel. After several messages and emails, arrangements were finalised to facilitate the shipment. The vessel can carry up to six tonnes of items; however, John said space is also being provided for other groups sending supplies.

She said parishes have been contacting St Dominic’s and Fr Jorge Amundarain will follow up with them. She disclosed the Living Water Community has given a container of donated goods to the PMMR for transport.

John said residents of Caracas and La Guaira who were left homeless by the earthquakes have been relocated. Distribution of supplies will be coordinated by Caritas which will identify “where will be the most in need.”

Meanwhile, La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre has also been doing its part. Its representative, Andreina Briceño Ventura-Brown, said Venezuelans both locally and abroad have been following the tragedy with deep concern. Although residing abroad, they continue to have ties with family, friends and communities in Venezuela.

“From the very beginning, our priority has been to accompany our community, provide reliable information, and serve as a bridge between those who want to help and those who urgently need assistance,” Ventura-Brown said.

She reported that during the first phase of the emergency, efforts focused on reconnecting families by sharing verified information, and official channels to report missing or located persons. Ongoing updates continue to be provided as  accurate information offers hope and comfort to families awaiting news.

La Casita remains in close communication with partner organisations, rescue teams, and humanitarian personnel “on the ground.” Ventura-Brown said: “Through this coordination, we have been able to keep our community informed about the different stages of the emergency, available collection points, and, most importantly, the real needs identified by those responding directly to affected communities”.

As the response moves to the humanitarian phase, La Casita has begun collecting donations based on the  identified needs in La Guaira and Caracas, as well as  in shelters.

Priority items include personal and menstrual hygiene supplies, medical and first-aid supplies, non-perishable food, diapers for babies and adults, infant formula, essential items for young children, and necessary medications.

While expressing gratitude for the generosity shown—particularly the  donation of clothing—Ventura-Brown said that La Casita has temporarily paused accepting of clothes until shelters in Venezuela complete their assessments. “Humanitarian assistance is most effective when it is guided by the actual needs identified on the ground,” she said.

La Casita continues to coordinate with a cross-section of agencies and institutions in both Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Ventura-Brown said that needs related to mental health, psychosocial support, crisis management, and emergency response are also being monitored, “recognising that disasters of this magnitude affect not only infrastructure but also the emotional well-being of survivors”.

Looking ahead, she said the long recovery and rebuilding journey will require continued support.

The Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ) has also issued an emergency relief appeal for Venezuela, calling on the public to give support to bring hope, relief and the love of Christ to those affected.

A list of “most needed” items was given, such as non-perishable food, bottled drinking water, blankets, bedding, flashlights and batteries. Drop-off locations are the CCSJ office at 34B Belmont Circular Road, Belmont, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and any parish office.

Monetary donations can be given to Republic Bank Ltd Account: 290458025501. A special collection is planned for next weekend in the Archdiocese. —LPG