Colombian Food Banks Send Thousands of Tons of Aid to Earthquake‑Hit Venezuela

Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on June 24, causing extensive damage in Caracas, La Guaira and surrounding areas, collapsing buildings, evacuating hospitals and leaving thousands homeless.

In response, the Association of Food Banks of Colombia (ABACO) launched the “Venezuela needs our support today” campaign, mobilising donations for the disaster and also for emergencies in Colombia. On July 26, the Banco de Alimentos de Bogotá dispatched a new 30‑ton shipment of rice, hygiene products and three tonnes of water, bringing the total aid sent to 237 tonnes, coordinated with the Banco de Alimentos de Caracas and Cáritas Venezuela. Diego Gómez, operations manager, said, “We try to maximise the volume … today it’s rice, hygiene items, three tonnes of water.” Father Daniel Saldarriaga added, “We want to help with food because thousands of families have lost everything.”