International Food & Beverage Association launches global appeal to support recovery efforts through the CAF Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund
On 24 June 2026, Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes — magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 — just 39 seconds apart, in one of the most severe natural disasters in the country's modern history. The coastal state of La Guaira, located only 20 minutes from the capital, Caracas, bore the brunt of the destruction and has since been officially declared a Disaster Zone. Thousands of lives have been lost, tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and more than a thousand buildings have collapsed or been severely damaged. The United Nations has confirmed that recovery will require sustained international support well beyond the immediate rescue phase.
In response, the International Food & Beverage Association (IFBA) is calling on its global network of national presidents and member associations to stand with the people of Venezuela.
A Direct Appeal from the Venezuelan Government
The call to action follows a personal exchange between IFBA President & Founder Cheong Hai Poh and Ambassador Jessica María López Piña of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Singapore, held during the IFBA International Roundtable at SIGEP Asia. On behalf of IFBA and Hospitality Alliance Singapore, Mr. Cheong conveyed the association's condolences and solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The Ambassador subsequently wrote directly to IFBA with a humanitarian appeal on behalf of the Government and people of Venezuela, inviting the association's members and partners to contribute to the country's recovery.
"As hospitality professionals, we understand better than most what it means to rebuild, to care for others, and to restore a sense of home," said Mr. Cheong. "This is our opportunity to extend that spirit beyond our industry and into a moment of genuine human need."
The Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund
Caribbean,has established the Venezuela Recovery and Reconstruction Fund, a mechanism designed to receive contributions from governments, organisations, companies, and individuals with full transparency, traceability, and at no administrative cost to donors.
CAF has already committed a USD 1 million seed contribution to activate the Fund and finance the earliest priority initiatives, and has stated it will charge no administrative fee, so that all contributions go directly toward emergency response and rebuilding. The Fund is structured to support three phases of recovery:
- Immediate humanitarian relief — emergency supplies, basic needs, and support for response institutions.
- Rehabilitation of critical services — health, water and sanitation, energy, education, and connectivity.
- Long-term recovery and resilience — early reconstruction, restoration of livelihoods, and reducing vulnerability to future events.
Resources are managed independently of CAF's own funds, with segregated accounts, periodic financial reporting, and independent auditing to ensure accountability at every stage. Under the Fund's General Conditions, contributions are non-reimbursable and do not entitle contributors to any financial return or a role in approving individual initiatives; the Government of Venezuela identifies and prioritises needs, and CAF validates each initiative's eligibility, urgency, and viability before funds are disbursed.
How to Contribute
Institutional contributors formalise their support by accepting an invitation letter and, where applicable, signing a contribution contract before transferring funds. Individuals may contribute either by bank transfer or through the online payment link available on the Fund's website.
Bank transfer details:
For individual contributions:
- Beneficiary: CORPORACIÓN ANDINA DE FOMENTO
- Account No.: 30096066
- Beneficiary Bank: Mercantil Banco, S.A.
- SWIFT/BIC: MPANPAPA
- Address: Calle 50 and Calle 58, Obarrio, Torre Mercantil, Panama City, Republic of Panama
For transfers originating outside Panama, intermediary banks include:
- Standard Chartered Bank — SWIFT: SCBLUS33 — ABA: 026002561 — New York, USA
- Amerant Bank, N.A. — SWIFT: MNBMUS33 — ABA: 067010509 — Coral Gables, FL, USA
- JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. — SWIFT: CHASUS33 — ABA: 021000021 — New York, USA
For contributions from companies and organisations:
USD transfers:
- Account Name: CORPORACIÓN ANDINA DE FOMENTO
- Account Number: 6550447826
- Bank: Bank of America NA, USA
- SWIFT: BOFAUS3N
- Routing (ACH & Wires): 026009593
EUR transfers:
- Account Name: CORPORACIÓN ANDINA DE FOMENTO
- IBAN: DE11 5004 0000 0887 7326 02
- Bank: Commerzbank AG, Germany
- SWIFT: COBADEFFXXX
Important: Please include the reference "Fund for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Venezuela – [name of contributor]" on your transfer, and email a copy of your bank receipt to forvenezuela@caf.com and trustfunds@caf.com, along with your name, amount and currency transferred, sending bank, and contact details.
Full information and the official CAF factsheet are available at: https://www.caf.com/en/specials/recovery-and-reconstruction-fund-for-venezuela/
