Andorra's Venezuelan Group Launches Aid Drive for Earthquake Victims

The Associació de Residents i Empatitzants de Veneçuela al Principat d’Andorra (Arevpa) has launched a humanitarian aid campaign in response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June, causing widespread material damage, thousands of confirmed deaths, and numerous missing persons, particularly along the coastal area near La Guaira.

The initiative includes collections of essential goods and financial donations, which will be channelled directly to trusted contacts on the ground to bypass the central government led by Delcy Rodríguez following Nicolás Maduro's detention. Arevpa president Reinaldo Márquez explained that this approach ensures funds reach those in need, citing past instances where aid has been mismanaged or diverted.

Donations can be made via bank transfer to IBAN AD66 0003 1101 1244 1301 0101. Funds will be distributed equitably among at least five—and potentially up to ten—reliable contacts in Venezuela, who will use them for basic supplies, fuel, and transport from Caracas to the hardest-hit zones.

Collection points for physical items have expanded across Andorra, focusing on non-perishable food, clothing, hygiene products, baby supplies, pet food, and medical materials. In Andorra la Vella, drop-offs are available at Lazlu Nails (Avinguda Príncep Benlloch 12) for adult, children's, and baby clothing; non-perishables like rice, pasta, legumes, and cereals; and machine lubricants for rescue operations. The Centre Cultural La Llacuna and the Citizen Participation service also accept items there. Further afield, the ARAP BP petrol station on Avinguda Santa Coloma and Pizzeria Mimmo in La Cortinada are participating.

Medicines and sanitary products—such as baby formula, painkillers, silver sulfadiazine, disinfectants, bandages, thermometers, and syringes—are being gathered at Farmàcia Guitart (Carrer Prat de la Creu 59-65, Andorra la Vella) and the nationwide network of six Farmàcies Pasteur outlets.

Arevpa emphasised accepting only urgently needed items that can be effectively delivered. The group is negotiating with additional businesses to broaden collection sites as the effort continues.