• Local Venezuelan community and Latino organizations in the Coastal Bend are rallying together to support earthquake victims in Venezuela through donation drives and relief efforts.
• Thousands of people in Venezuela remain displaced or homeless, with over 2,500 reported deaths from the recent earthquakes, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing humanitarian aid and support.
• Donations of supplies such as baby food, diapers, clothing, and canned goods are being collected by various organizations in Corpus Christi to assist with relief efforts in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of continued community support.

As recovery efforts continue in Venezuela following a series of deadly earthquakes, members of the Coastal Bend's Venezuelan community and local Latino organizations are coming together to support those affected.

A week and a half after the earthquakes devastated parts of the country, thousands of people remain displaced or homeless, and more than 2,500 people have died. Local organizers say the need for humanitarian aid will continue well beyond the initial response.

"We're not forgetting that this is gonna be a long process that Venezuela and our people will need us for a long time, because it was completely devastating," said Maria Quevedo with Venezolanos en Corpus Christi.

Quevedo and Valentina Cisneros, who have lived in Corpus Christi for 12 years, but are originally from Venezuela, are partnering with the nonprofit Avenext to collect donations. They said family members and friends are also personally delivering supplies directly to earthquake victims and rescue crews in Venezuela.

The group shared video with 3NEWS showing boots on the ground relief efforts, including the distribution of food, clothing and protective gear.

"La Guaira, they say it's around 60% of the infrastructure that is destroyed. Every building is around 10 or 15 floors, each floor has eight or 10 apartments. Can you imagine how many people lost everything?," Cisneros said.

Meanwhile, the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica is also collecting donations to support relief efforts. Once collected, organizers said the supplies will be transported to Houston before being sent to Venezuela.

"Baby food, diapers, clothing, perishables, canned foods," said Judge Joe Benavides with Instituto de Cultura Hispánica. "We have members from the Instituto that it's affecting their families in Venezuela."

Quevedo said the ongoing support from communities outside of Venezuela is critical as many survivors continue searching for loved ones and working to rebuild.

"People with their bare hands trying to recover their family because we don't have any help from the government or the army, and it's the international community that is being so helpful," Quevedo said.

Organizers said every donation can make a difference as recovery efforts continue, and the road to recovery is a long one.

If you wish to make a monetary donation, you can send a Zelle payment to Quevedo and Cisneros. Donations can also be made through Avenext's GoFundMe campaign.

People who would rather donate supplies can drop off items at the Instituto de Cultura Hispánica on Chaparral Street through July 31. Requested items include baby supplies, diapers, clothing, nonperishable food and canned goods.