August 18, 2026
By Sonia Alio
July 24 marked one month since the devastating double earthquake struck Venezuela. As our hearts remain with those who are no longer with us, survivors are now facing the difficult task of rebuilding their lives. I wanted to share the names of a few organizations for those who may wish to support the ongoing recovery efforts. Direct donations to reputable nonprofits can make a meaningful difference.
HelpThemDirectly.org centralizes and verifies fundraising campaigns for earthquake victims, creating a trusted platform where people around the world can support affected families directly. More than 100 families are currently listed, and their stories are heartbreaking. Each fundraiser is carefully verified, giving donors confidence that their support will reach those in need. No donation is too small. Contributions help cover search efforts, burial expenses, hospital bills and basic needs and help families begin rebuilding their lives.
Global Empowerment Mission/Venezuela Earthquake has been an exceptionally effective disaster relief organization, with a strong boots-on-the-ground presence delivering aid directly to those affected by the earthquake. From coordinating the collection of donations to warehousing, shipping and distributing essential supplies, the organization has demonstrated remarkable efficiency and commitment at every stage of the relief effort.
World Central Kitchen/Chefs for Venezuela. Preparing more than 10,000 meals each day, World Central Kitchen (WCK) recently marked one month of operations by serving more than one million fresh, nutritious meals to earthquake survivors and rescue teams. WCK has been a shining example of compassion and efficiency throughout this crisis, and its teams remain on the ground providing critical support to those in need. I encourage you to visit WCK’s Instagram page to gain a better appreciation of the scale of their operation and the extraordinary impact they continue to make.
Fundacion Juan Pablo 2 Santos is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals in need of prosthetic limbs regain their mobility and independence. Working in partnership with the Hospital Ortopédico Infantil, the foundation provides hope and life-changing support to those whose lives have been affected by injury or limb loss.
I encourage you to visit the foundation’s Instagram page to learn more about its work. To support its mission, click on “Donaciones” to access the PayPal donation link.
RAC: Red de Apoyo Canino is one of the many organizations leading animal rescue efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake. Their team has been at the core of the affected areas, providing assistance to animals who have lost their families, become separated from their owners or were already living on the streets. Their networks mobilized all of their programs, including pet food bank, basic veterinary care and surgeries, foster home network and adoption programs.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read this article. I encourage you to consider making a direct donation to one of these verified, independent and nonpolitical organizations. If donating is not possible, simply sharing this information with others can also make a meaningful difference.
Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.
Sonia Alio has been a Coop member since 2002. Born in Venezuela, she has lived in Brooklyn since 1994. She has family and friends in Venezuela who lived through the recent double earthquake and its consequences.Through them, she can attest that the situation is dire. Much of the assistance has come through personal initiatives and organizations that provide direct aid or have developed the experience and networks needed to deliver effective relief despite the country’s challenging political and economic conditions. Sonia works as a set designer for film, television, and corporate events, and teaches as a guest in two NYC high schools.