COMMITMENT| 10.09.2021
In Venezuela, Fundación MAPFRE is providing funds for the San Sebastián charity kitchen and for purchasing supplies and medications to fight Covid 19
Fundación MAPFRE has approved an extraordinary budget of €10 million to address the emergency situation and socioeconomic crisis that Latin America is experiencing as a result of COVID‑19.
Since the pandemic began, the foundation has already dedicated €35 million to protecting communities from the virus and helping the most disadvantaged groups. Now, it is increasing its budget in order to launch a total of 71 projects, which are expected to provide assistance to more than 500,000 people in 18 countries.
Ensuring basic food security and nutrition
In Venezuela, Fundación MAPFRE is contributing more than €70,000 to provide food for children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens at the San Sebastián Parish Charity Kitchen in Maiquetía, to improve access to nutrition for the most vulnerable members of the population affected by the pandemic. This program has been developed in collaboration with the La Guaira Diocese.
Health care supplies
Venezuela is also one of the countries that will benefit from the health care supplies purchased by the Foundation, which are mainly being dedicated to protection and care for senior citizens. The purpose of this €102,835 donation is to help support the public health system, by purchasing medical supplies and medications that are especially needed by the most vulnerable groups. This is being done as a way to alleviate some of the problems they experience with availability, accessibility, and quality for those materials, while also addressing aspects involving gender and cultural inclusivity.
These activities are taking place in collaboration with Doctors of the World and with the help of volunteers from MAPFRE’s local office in San Cristóbal, which is an active participant in this program.
Antonio Huertas: “No one can stand in the way of solidarity”
“We hope things will change and for the better. No pandemic is going to stop us from keeping our commitment to social progress,” says Antonio Huertas, President of Fundación MAPFRE. He has described the foundation’s extraordinary provision of €45 million over a two‑year period as a “plan aimed at saving as many lives as possible and protecting the most vulnerable in society and those fighting coronavirus on the front line.” He explains that the foundation, which in 2020 encountered “the greatest challenge” in its 45‑year history, is also supporting research and helping to prevent an increase in poverty and inequality caused by the social consequences of the virus. This is all with the help of its volunteers, who will once again provide their support in this endeavor. “When it comes to solidarity, once the ball gets rolling, there is no stopping it,” he says.