Manos de Héroes shares 3D prosthetic designs for earthquake victims

The Uruguayan non-profit foundation Manos de Héroes has shared its custom 3D-printed prosthetic designs to assist those affected by recent earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia. Founder Andrea Cukerman stated that while exporting physical prosthetics from Uruguay is difficult, 3D printing technology allows the organization to distribute digital designs and instructions to anyone with a 3D printer.

In Venezuela, two earthquakes on June 24 resulted in 6,509 deaths and over 29,000 missing persons. In Colombia, an earthquake on August 10 caused 335 deaths, 4,516 injuries, and 103 missing persons, affecting nearly 490,000 people.

Manos de Héroes has provided over 250 free prosthetic hands and arms to children and adults in Uruguay. The organization is currently developing a 3D-printed leg prototype, which it aims to complete by 2027.