Cuenca Collection Drive Mobilizes Aid After Venezuela Earthquakes

Cuenca's Venezuelan community is turning grief into logistics after the June 24 earthquakes in La Guaira.

The local aid effort has been moving through collection points, volunteers and official coordination channels. Javier Gil, owner of Full Criollo: sabor venezolano, converted the restaurant into a collection point for humanitarian aid.

What Has Been Collected

Priscila Rodriguez, responsible for the Cuenca collection center, reported between 10 and 12 tons of supplies collected, including contributions from Biblian, Azogues, Zamora and areas near Loja.

The first items expected to be sent include potable water, diapers, hygiene and personal-care items, and mattresses.

The supplies were classified and packed at Edificio Portal del Sol with volunteer support.

Official Coordination

The shipment is being coordinated with the Secretaria Nacional de Gestion de Riesgos, which activated a collection center at the Campus Yanuncay of the Universidad de Cuenca.

Froilan Salinas, the zone 6 coordinator for the secretariat, said collection centers have been enabled in eight provinces and are operating from 08:00 to 18:00.

Why This Matters In Cuenca

Cuenca has a large Venezuelan community, so a disaster there lands here through families, restaurants, churches, WhatsApp groups and neighborhood networks.

For residents who want to help, the safest path is to use known collection points and official channels, especially while transport and entry of supplies are being coordinated.