Venezuela earthquakes prompt Venezuelans in US to organise donation drives and urgent aid

Venezuelans in the United States are organising donation drives after 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes in Venezuela killed at least 188 and injured hundreds. Community networks, including WhatsApp groups linking families, are coordinating money, medicine, and water. Severe damage to Caracas’ main airport may delay deliveries and complicate humanitarian aid logistics.

Venezuelans living in the United States rushed to set up donation drives on Thursday. The effort followed major earthquakes in Venezuela that officials said killed at least 188 people. Hundreds more were injured, and many were still missing. Families in the US searched for updates, while groups began collecting money and emergency items for fast delivery.

Two strong earthquakes, measured at 7.2 and 7.5, struck on Wednesday night. Officials reported heavy damage at the main airport in Caracas. The damage could delay aid flights and shipments. The quakes were described as among Venezuela’s strongest in more than a century. Images showed children, animals, and other civilians pulled from rubble.

Venezuelan earthquake aid drives in Florida and Doral

Oscar Torres spent the last 24 hours tracking constant messages in a WhatsApp group. The group linked people in Venezuela with relatives abroad. Torres lived in Doral, Florida, near Miami. The city had the largest Venezuelan population in the US. Torres said local residents began organising supplies and money for urgent delivery.

"Already this morning, I was looking at the group in Doral and everybodys pitching in -- money, medicine, water. First, necessity items, said Torres, a sales manager who moved to the US from Venezuela in 1995. Theyre talking about making the first shipment ASAP.\"

In Doral, local officials and advocacy groups shared donation needs online. They also raised the issue during news conferences. Torres planned to give money to support these efforts. Torres still had uncles and cousins in Caracas and Valencia. Torres said some relatives were injured while fleeing buildings as the shaking began.

\"Their homes are destroyed and a few buildings have collapsed, Torres said. Thankfully, I dont know anyone who passed away.\"

Venezuelan earthquake aid drives in Houston and Katyzuela

More than 7,70,000 Venezuelans lived in the United States, with large groups in Texas and Utah. Another major community lived in Florida. In the Houston area, residents used Facebook groups and other platforms to share donation sites. Many drop-off points were in Katy, about 48 kilometres west of downtown Houston.

Katy had earned the nickname Katyzuela due to its large Venezuelan community. Organisers listed needed medical and first aid items. They asked for gauze, bandages, antiseptics, and disposable gloves. Face masks, syringes, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors were also requested. Community members said the lists reflected urgent needs after the damage.

Daniel Arenas shared a Spanish-language appeal with English translation on Thursday. Arenas posted it on LinkedIn to reach more people across Houston. Arenas, a maritime industry consultant, said the crisis felt personal. Arenas said the situation in Venezuela looked severe, and support from abroad was necessary.

\"I came to this country 10 years ago, built a life here, but my heart is still in Venezuela, Arenas said. Its devastating whats happening over there. They dont have the resources to handle this.\"

Arenas said the earthquakes also affected Arenas’s family. Arenas said Arenas’s wife feared for an aunt in a Caracas high-rise. The aunt sent a distressed WhatsApp message after the quakes hit. Arenas said the message described pain, confusion, and major loss inside the apartment.

\"She was crying and screaming and saying she was in pain but not sure from where, Arenas said. She said she lost everything. She was desperate.\"

Arenas said Arenas’s wife later reached the aunt. Across the US, Venezuelan communities continued sharing updates and donation details. Many families remained worried because thousands were still missing. With airport damage in Caracas, organisers expected delivery challenges. Still, residents in Florida and Texas kept gathering essential supplies and funds.

With inputs from PTI