More Than 100 Pallets of Humanitarian Aid Headed to Venezuela
ORANJESTAD – The parking lot at Paseo Herencia in Palm Beach has become one of Aruba's main collection points for humanitarian aid destined for Venezuela.
On June 29, 2026, Prime Minister Mike Eman visited the site to see firsthand the large team of volunteers sorting, packing, and preparing donations for shipment to the areas of Venezuela devastated by last Wednesday's powerful earthquake.
During the visit, the prime minister toured the different sections of the collection center, where volunteers were organizing food, drinking water, hygiene products, medicines, and other essential supplies.
According to Orlando Garcia, a Venezuelan businessman and owner of Caribbean Printing, the initiative began just hours after the disaster struck.
"Only twelve hours after the tragedy, we came together and called on our customers, friends, and suppliers to launch a humanitarian relief effort here in Aruba," Garcia said. He emphasized that the initiative is a joint effort by Venezuelan business owners based in Aruba, who have successfully mobilized the island's multicultural community.
During his visit, Prime Minister Mike Eman stressed that, according to information the Aruban government has received directly from Aruba's medical team in Venezuela, medicines remain among the most urgently needed supplies.
"We appreciate everything the community is donating, but medicines are critically important," Eman said. "Our medical team has reported that medical supplies are being depleted very quickly. Food, drinking water, and hygiene products also remain essential."
More than the sheer volume of donations, Prime Minister Eman highlighted the solidarity shown by the people of Aruba.
"I am deeply moved to see how our community has responded. People of many different nationalities have come together out of compassion and solidarity to help those in need. It is something truly beautiful and something we can all be proud of."
The collection center at Paseo Herencia continues to accept donations as volunteers prepare the next shipment to Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Aruban government remains in close coordination with local and international partners and continues to monitor the situation to determine how humanitarian assistance to Venezuela can best be expanded.