‘United more than ever.’ Pembroke Pines steps up following Venezuela earthquakes
South Florida quickly mobilized humanitarian aid efforts after two powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela’s Caribbean coast on Wednesday night, including collection sites in Pembroke Pines.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Venezuela’s northern coast at 6:04 p.m. on June 24, followed by a 7.5 magnitude hit a minute later. Caracas and neighboring regions such as La Guaira suffered significant damage and casualties.
The Miami Herald reported that the death toll from the double earthquake was at least 188 as of Thursday, with more than 1,520 injured.
President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia said the country is in an “immediate need of emergency humanitarian assistance.”
“The country urgently requires search and rescue teams, medical supplies and technical support,” Gonzalez Urrutia’s June 25 Instagram post reads. “The International community must ensure that his assistance reaches the Venezuelan people without conditions and without intermediaries who might use it as an instrument of political control.”
This comes as the country continues to grapple with decades of institutional decline and increased American involvement. President Donald Trump took to social media to say the U.S. will move agencies to assist with the crisis.
Doral, home to one of Venezuela’s largest diaspora, has begun taking action to help support families affected by the catastrophe. The city has partnered with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and launched an Earthquake Relief Drive with several drop-off locations that are collecting donations.
Items needed include medicine, first aid kits, heavy-duty batteries, solar phone chargers and work gloves. Baby care such as diapers are also being accepted.
Here’s where you can donate supplies in Pembroke Pines:
All for Venezuela
Mayra Marachan, a representative of the nonprofit group All for Venezuela, is accepting medication and medical supply donations at 1391 NW 187th Ave.
Among the accepted medications: Albuterol, Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Omerprazol and antibiotics. Marachan will also accept supplies such as wound healing cream, gauze pads and rolls, gloves of all sizes and blood pressure monitors.
For the full list of accepted donations, visit the organization’s Instagram. For more information, call 305-588-0338.
Sabor Venezolano
This popular chain restaurant serving traditional Venezuelan food at 2010 N. Flamingo Road is accepting donations.
Sabor Venezolano will accept nonperishable food, water, medications, hygiene products, clothing, cleaning supplies and other essentials.
It is accepting donation at all 11 locations across the U.S., the restaurant posted on Instagram. The chain also said its trucks are available for air relief collaborations.
The other Broward location is in Weston, at 2410 Weston Road.
Arepa Pueblo
This family-owned Venezuelan café and restaurant at 9940 NW Sixth St. is “accepting any and all donations.”
The restaurant took to Instagram on June 25 to say it will accept clothes, shoes, non-perishables foods, medicine, first aid kits, beauty/hygiene products and other necessities.
“United more than ever,” the restaurant’s Instagram post reads. “Praying for our families in Venezuela. You are not alone! We are with you.”
For more information, call 954-367-2279.
