MIAMI — A Miami-based nonprofit is mobilizing to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes devastated the country Wednesday, killing hundreds of people. Officials warn the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

Global Empowerment Mission, GEM, headquartered in Doral, is accepting donations and coordinating an emergency response. The organization expects to have response teams on the ground in Venezuela by Friday.

“The GEM team, partnered with our long-term Venezuelan partner I Love Venezuela, is currently mobilizing in response to the developing situation,” the organization said in a statement posted on its website.

Beginning Thursday volunteers and staff at GEM’s Doral headquarters will assemble and prepare humanitarian aid, including food, bottled water, hygiene kits, medical supplies and other emergency relief items.

The Venezuelan Caribbean was rocked by two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck just 39 seconds apart, according to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center.

The earthquakes were felt across much of the country, with the hardest-hit areas including Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcón, according to Interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

GEM has previously operated in Venezuela, including during the country’s 2019 refugee crisis.

Earlier this month, the nonprofit also responded to a deadly earthquake in the Philippines, deploying teams to the Sarangani and Davao Occidental provinces. There, volunteers distributed food, clean water, hygiene supplies and other essential items to rural communities, according to their website.

GEM is accepting donations at their headquarters from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Other organizations providing earthquake relief to Venezuela

Global Giving, a nonprofit that “supports other nonprofits by connecting them to donors and companies” has set up a Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund, according to their website. Donations made to the fund will “provide local organizations with flexible, rapid funding to deliver emergency medical care, search and rescue support, temporary shelter, food, clean water, hygiene supplies, and other essential services,” the site reads.

Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce Foundation, founded in Miami, (VACC Foundation) has launched a fundraising campaign for those affected by the earthquakes. “Our community’s solidarity is vital at times like this. We invite all Venezuelans, friends of Venezuela, and partner organizations to join this effort to help those who need it most right now,” the VACC Foundation said in a statement in Spanish.

El Centro Comunitario AFE, a Doral-based organization that distributes food and clothing to those in need, is accepting donations for Venezuela at 6090 NW 84th Ave until 3 p.m. daily. They ask for people to bring items such as in non-perishable food, bottled water, clothing, hygiene products and medication.

UNICEF teams are on the ground in Venezuela working to deliver support to children and families and are accepting monetary donations.

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