Stores belonging to the Central Madeirense chain, established by Madeiran entrepreneurs in Venezuela, are now operating as collection points for essential goods for areas affected by a recent double earthquake.
Supermarket shelves and trolleys have been adapted for collecting clothing, hygiene products, medical supplies, and other necessary items, with staff receiving donations. The company assures that all collected material will be organized and delivered directly to local authorities and the hardest-hit areas, aiming for rapid and transparent distribution.
The initiative, featuring a poster appealing for solidarity with the slogan "Our country needs us," is a partnership between Central Madeirense, Cáritas Venezuela, and the National Association of Supermarkets and Self-Services (ANSA). The campaign aims to mobilize Venezuelans to contribute medicines, first-aid supplies, rescue equipment, and other essential goods, turning supermarkets into solidarity hubs.
The Portuguese-Venezuelan community, particularly affected by the catastrophe, has shown significant activism. Madeiran entrepreneurs with businesses in the country have made their logistical structures available for the humanitarian response, supporting thousands of families in the post-disaster recovery phase.
