Our shipment has now been despatched on 16th July. The shipment is due to arrive in Miami on Monday 20th and then on the ground in Venezuela on Thursday 23rd July. We are so proud of our team, and partners, who worked very hard in organising this rapid shipment to aid the people of Venezuela.
Following the recent earthquake in Venezuela, affected communities continue to face significant humanitarian challenges, including disruption of water systems, damage to critical infrastructure, and limited access to safe drinking water.
Although the priority for national and international teams is still search and rescue it is now moving to the recovery phase where there is now a practical need for clean drinking water in the earthquake zones as much of the infrastructure has been destroyed including water and sewage treatment pipework.
Since the day the earthquake struck on 24th June, Derbyshire’s Aquabox has been in contact with our partners on the ground, including the Venezuelan Red Cross, IFRC and Airlink who are supporting emergency response operations to address immediate needs and strengthen community resilience during the recovery phase.
There were are a number of customs protocols that overseas NGOs are required to go through with the Venezuelan Government before they can send aid into the country and we, alongside our partners, have now completed these and the shipment left us on 16th July.
This shipment of 360 family and 10 community filters to the worst affected area, La Guaira state, which was the epicentre of the earthquake. This will support 8,500 people with clean, safe water. Griffaid, the charity run by the designer of the family and community filters have donated 200 of the family filters to this shipment, to allow us to get it out quickly.
Recent reports highlight that over 3,500 people have died, 10,500 injured with tens of thousands missing. There is major critical damage to infrastructure with over 96,000 buildings damaged or completely destroyed.