As Venezuela approaches one week since two devastating earthquakes struck the country, South Florida organizations continue working to get lifesaving supplies into the hands of people in need.
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New video released Tuesday shows people in Venezuela lining up to receive donations collected in South Florida by the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).
Monday marked the first major distribution of supplies that were flown into Venezuela on cargo flights from GEM’s headquarters in Doral.
“This is the food, the water, the supplies you brought to Doral, Florida. It already arrived here by plane,” a GEM representative said in a video from Venezuela. “This is just the first truckload we’re going to be sending; there will be many, many, many trucks. It’s important now that the flow continues.”
At El Arepazo in Doral, bags of donated supplies were still sitting outside Tuesday, but signs in Spanish informed people that donations were no longer being accepted at that location because the needs in Venezuela have shifted.
The response from South Florida has been so strong that GEM says it has been overwhelmed by community support. Additional donation sites will be open for the next three days at Aventura Mall and Dolphin Mall from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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One volunteer said the ongoing humanitarian crisis motivated them to help.
“They need help. There are people there who are going hungry and facing hardship. There’s no better way to help than to come and donate your time. It’s the best thing I can do,” the volunteer said.
Getting aid into Venezuela has not been without challenges.
A flight carrying six rescue workers and a nurse was diverted to the Dominican Republic after they were not allowed to land in Venezuela. According to those involved, no reason was given for the decision while the flight was in the air.
New images released by the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service show U.S. search-and-rescue teams from across the country, including Miami. The agency is providing the teams with security, communications and logistical support.
Photos also posted on X show a non-denominational group’s emergency field hospital, where patients are already being treated. The field hospital includes two operating rooms, 56 patient beds, a pharmacy and a laboratory.
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