Venezuela Earthquake 2026

SHELTER & WATER FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES 

PROJECT TITLE Venezuela Earthquake: Build Shelter for 1,000 Displaced Families

PROJECT SUMMARY  When the earthquake hit La Guaira, Venezuela, 20,000 people lost their homes. Disaster Aid USA is helping fund and organize building temporary shelters — 25 per week — alongside local Rotary partners who know these communities by name. $300 builds one shelter. 12,000 families are still waiting.

What We're Doing Disaster Aid USA is working in La Guaira, 

Here's how it works: Rotary Districts 4370 and 4380 had already distributed 1,000 emergency shelter kits — tarps, tools, and basic supplies — in the immediate aftermath. But those kits couldn't build framed shelters. They needed lumber. That's where DAUSA comes in. We're supplying the lumber, roofing materials, and fasteners to convert those emergency kits into durable, weather-resistant temporary homes.

Each shelter kit costs $300 and takes about one day to build with volunteer labor. We're currently building 25 shelters per week. As of late August, shelters have already been completed and families are moving in. Why Our Approach Works This isn't airdropped aid. It's built on the ground, with people who live there. DAUSA's response in Venezuela is built on a formal partnership with Rotary District Governors Yupnexa Lupita Rojas (District 4370) and Auristher Pinto de Camacaro (District 4380). These are local leaders who know the communities, the officials, and the families by name. They coordinate with: Protección Civil (Civil Protection) — daily coordination for site safety and access, with national and local Authorites,  OIM (International Organization for Migration) — ensuring we complement, not duplicate, international aid efforts Local military support — providing security for volunteer teams at construction sites

Vulnerable families are identified through an electronic registry linked to Venezuela's national civil registry, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most — families with children, elderly members, and individuals with disabilities — not just those who show up first.

The Rotary District Governors' credibility with local officials is what makes this project go smoothly. They open doors, coordinate logistics, and ensure that every shelter reaches a family that truly needs one.

What Your Donation Does $300 — builds one complete shelter (lumber, roofing, fasteners) $20 — covers one day of local volunteer labor to build a shelter $5,000 — covers all transport costs to move materials to construction sites $25 — feeds a volunteer crew for a day on the build site Every dollar goes directly to materials and on-the-ground operations. DAUSA is a volunteer-driven organization — we are not contractors. All services are provided at no cost to survivors.

Our Track Record Disaster Aid USA has completed over $7.7 million in free disaster work over the past four years (FEMA-style valuation). We've responded to more than 70 disasters across the United States and 14 international deployments, including:

Hurricane Helene & Milton (2024-2025) — muck-and-gut operations, rebuilding across the Southeast Texas floods (2026) — heavy equipment and chainsaw teams in the Kerrville area West Virginia flooding (2026) — shower, laundry, and debris removal support • • • • • • • • • • Jamaica — clean water, food, and home rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa Honduras — clean water support for families In Venezuela, we're not just dropping in and leaving. Rotary clubs will continue supporting these families after DAUSA's active deployment ends — reuniting families, restoring the local economy, and transitioning from emergency shelter to permanent housing.