Venezuela's government opens page for donations via CAF bank

Venezuela's interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, has launched a dedicated webpage to solicit international monetary donations through CAF, a regional development bank. This initiative follows devastating earthquakes that struck the state of La Guaira and five other Venezuelan entities a week prior.

The website, titled "Tu aporte levanta a Venezuela" (Your contribution lifts Venezuela), features the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' emblem. It offers two primary ways to contribute: direct monetary donations to an official CAF account or by requesting flight permits for humanitarian aid shipments. The government assures that it will manage all logistics once the aid arrives in Caracas.

Foreign Minister Yván Gil announced the initiative on Telegram in English, stating, "Venezuela is not alone! You can join this solidarity initiative and accompany these moments of difficulty." The CAF, established in 1968 and now a significant regional development bank with operations primarily in Panama, is positioned as an ally in the government's response efforts. The platform also facilitates donations in kind and expedites authorizations for humanitarian flights.

According to Venezuela's official news channel VTV, the portal allows interested parties to request flight permits by declaring the aircraft, route, crew, and type of donations. Vice Minister for Europe and North America, Oliver Blanco, reported from La Guaira that Venezuela anticipates more humanitarian aid after receiving over 1,200 tons recently. He noted support from approximately thirty countries and immediate coordination with representatives from the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. The UN's World Food Programme plans to assist half a million people in earthquake-affected shelters.