Operation USA seeks donations for Venezuela earthquake response

Operation USA is mobilizing relief after powerful earthquakes hit Venezuela, with the group asking for public and corporate support to speed aid into Caracas, La Guaira and other hard-hit areas. The agency says the disaster could leave thousands dead and hundreds of thousands displaced, making early funding and supplies critical.

Why it matters: - Operation USA is trying to move aid quickly into Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes caused major destruction. - The relief push is focused on immediate needs and early recovery, when funding and supplies can shape how fast communities stabilize. - The scale of the disaster could include thousands of deaths and widespread displacement, raising the stakes for outside assistance.

What happened: - Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based international relief agency, said it is mobilizing relief efforts for communities affected by earthquakes in Venezuela. - The quakes struck Caracas and the state of La Guaira. - The earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude. - Operation USA is working with local partners to assess needs and deliver aid. - Richard Walden, president and CEO of Operation USA, said the recovery will be long and difficult and called for corporate and public support.

The details: - The U.S. Geological Survey said the death toll could reach into the thousands. - The U.S. Geological Survey also said there is a significant probability casualties will exceed 10,000. - The agency said hundreds of thousands may be displaced. - Operation USA is seeking financial donations to support rapid response and recovery. - Operation USA is also asking corporate partners for bulk supplies, including generators, blankets, flashlights, batteries, new clothing, first aid supplies, health and hygiene items, shelter materials, and medical supplies and equipment. - Corporate donations are also being sought for shelter materials, power generation equipment, medical supplies, and water purification products. - People can donate online at Operation USA’s donation page. - Donations can also be made by phone at 323.413.2353 or by check mailed to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036. - More information is available by calling 323.413.2353 or emailing Tony Shannon at tshannon@opusa.org or Susan Fassig at sfassig@opusa.org.

Between the lines: - The appeal is aimed at the earliest stage of disaster response, when cash and logistics support can move faster than broader aid commitments. - Operation USA is using both individual donations and corporate supply chains to cover immediate gaps in relief inventory. - Walden framed the response as urgent and dependent on outside support, signaling that the organization expects a large-scale and extended recovery effort.

What's next: - Operation USA will continue coordinating with trusted local agencies and partners to identify the most urgent needs. - The organization is likely to prioritize rapid distribution of supplies as access and assessments improve. - Operation USA says it will sustain recovery efforts as additional support comes in.

The bottom line: - Venezuela’s earthquakes have triggered an urgent call for cash, supplies and corporate help, with Operation USA positioning itself to push aid into the hardest-hit areas quickly.