TOGETHER THROUGH ANOTHER CHALLENGE
Dear Friends and Supporters,
For the first time since we began these newsletters seven years ago, we did not send our quarterly update in June. The two earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June changed our priorities overnight.
Within hours, our network of doctors, volunteers and local partners was responding. Our efforts turned towards supporting emergency responders, hospitals and communities affected by the devastation.
Our thoughts remain with everyone who lost loved ones, suffered lasting injuries or was forced to leave their home. We remain committed to helping them through the difficult months ahead.
This newsletter brings together our emergency response, changes to our leadership and some welcome recognition of the work you make possible. It is also my last as Chairwoman—a chance to thank you and introduce the people who will guide Healing Venezuela into its next chapter.
OUR RESPONSE TO THE EARTHQUAKES
Within twenty-four hours of the earthquakes, our teams were on the ground delivering essential medical supplies and equipment to rescue workers facing an overwhelming emergency.
From the outset, our priorities were to support search and rescue efforts, help healthcare professionals care for injured people, and bring essential supplies to displaced communities.
Thanks to your generosity, our response included:
- Medical supplies: 18,000 units of trauma medicines and medical supplies delivered to support the emergency response. Our support for the UCV firefighters included 2,264 units of emergency supplies, such as dressings, intravenous supplies, protective equipment and essential medicines.
- Portable ultrasound: three devices donated to help doctors assess patients quickly and guide treatment.
- Safer blood transfusions: screening kits sufficient to test 100 blood donations for use in treating injured patients.
- Drinking water: more than 8,000 litres distributed to temporary shelters, alongside a water filter installed at a school with an estimated reach of 4,500 people.
- Community essentials: more than 1,000 food and hygiene kits and packs of books and toys for children.
- Sanitation: two portable toilets provided at a shelter serving more than 100 displaced people.
Across our response, we helped facilitate more than 7,200 medical consultations, while over 4,800 people in isolated communities
received food and essential supplies.
We owe a special thank you to Dr Kate Otto Chebly, who supported the response just three weeks after giving birth, and Dr Andrés Ortiz, who has worked with us since 2018. Their medical expertise, local knowledge and connections with hospitals, suppliers and partners helped us respond where support was needed most.
To everyone who donated, volunteered, organised a fundraiser or shared our appeal: thank you. Your support reached people at a moment of profound need.
Throughout this period, our regular programmes also continued: scholarships for junior doctors, safe drinking water in hospitals, portable ultrasound equipment and training, reproductive healthcare, and donations of medical supplies and equipment
STRENGTHENING OUR GOVERNANCE
The earthquakes delayed our announcement of several changes to the
charity’s leadership. We are now delighted to share them with you.
Professor Alejandro Arenas-Pinto is our new Chairman. A trustee since 2017, Alejandro has helped shape Healing Venezuela’s medical and technical direction. His experience in public health, infectious diseases and medical education, together with his understanding of healthcare in Venezuela, will help guide the charity through its next chapter.
We also warmly welcome Domingo Lapadula as a trustee. An engineer with extensive leadership experience at Ford, Domingo brings expertise in
operations, strategy, finance and project management that will strengthen our governance.
Mayra Sanchez succeeds Marisol Giardina as CEO. A longstanding member of the Healing Venezuela team, Mayra brings dedication to the charity and close connections with the Venezuelan community.
We thank Marisol for her commitment and leadership. We are pleased that she will continue contributing her experience through our Advisory Board.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
We have long wanted to establish an Advisory Board that would bring fresh perspectives and help us look beyond our day-to-day work.
Joining Marisol Giardina are Daniel Gamboa, a fundraising leader at Amnesty International Argentina; Dr Paola Romero, a philosopher and university lecturer; and Juan Pío Hernández, whose experience spans strategy, international collaboration and work with global organisations.
Together, they bring knowledge of community engagement, fundraising, ethics and organisational development. Their advice and support have already proved valuable during the earthquake response.
We are grateful that these accomplished professionals have agreed to contribute their time and expertise to Healing Venezuela.
RECOGNITION FOR OUR SHARED WORK
We were delighted to receive the Silver Award in the Humanitarian Response Champions category at the 2026 Global Good Awards.
Our entry, Doctors for Hope: Free Health Care for All in Venezuela, highlighted our Junior Doctors Scholarship Programme and the healthcare professionals it supports.
This recognition belongs to the doctors caring for their patients, our volunteers and partners, and every supporter who makes their work possible. The rigorous judging process and the quality of the other entries make this award especially meaningful to us.
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
When I founded Healing Venezuela in 2016, I could not have imagined how many people would become part of this endeavour.
What began with collecting medical supplies grew through the efforts of people who chose to give their time, skills and resources to help others. Together, we have helped improve the lives of more than two million people by supporting access to healthcare. We have also helped young doctors complete their specialist training and prepare for the future. We work closely with our sister organisations in France and the US who add energy and innovation to our work.
As I step down as Chairwoman, I feel immense gratitude to our trustees, volunteers, partners and supporters, and especially to the healthcare professionals in Venezuela whose dedication gives our work its purpose sometimes risking their lives. They are the real superheroes.
I will remain involved as Founder and Patron. Alejandro and the team will have my continued support, and I hope they will have yours too.
It has been a privilege and an honour to help my country and to work alongside so many remarkable people.
Thank you for all your support.
¡Muchas gracias!
Cinzia De Santis
Founder and Patron
Healing Venezuela