Chamber coordinates Region 3 business response and calls on community to contribute
LEONORA, ESSEQUIBO ISLANDS–WEST DEMERARA, GUYANA — 25 June 2026. The Essequibo Islands–West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) today expressed its deepest condolences to the Venezuelan families and communities devastated by the twin earthquakes that struck the country on 24 June 2026. The 7.2-magnitude foreshock and subsequent 7.5-magnitude mainshock — the most powerful to strike Venezuela in more than 125 years — have killed at least 32 people, injured more than 700, and collapsed dozens of buildings across La Guaira, Caracas, Catia La Mar, and Macuto. The confirmed death toll is expected to rise.
For the people of Region 3, this is not a distant tragedy. Tens of thousands of Venezuelan men, women, and children live, work, run businesses, and send their children to school in our communities. Many are watching from West Demerara as reports arrive of buildings collapsing in the very neighbourhoods where their families remain. Their grief is our grief. R3CCI represents a business community that has welcomed these families, and we will not stand apart from them now.
"The Venezuelan people are facing one of the most devastating natural disasters their country has seen in living memory. R3CCI stands with them — as a chamber, as a community, and as neighbours who know that the families being pulled from the rubble in Catia La Mar and Macuto are not strangers to us. We are coordinating the Region 3 business community's response and calling on every member to step forward."
— Bhabita Albert, President Essequibo Islands–West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
R3CCI ACTIONS
R3CCI will take the following immediate actions on behalf of the Region 3 business community:
• Coordinate with the Guyana Civil Defence Commission (cdc.gov.gy) to ensure R3CCI's response is aligned with Guyana's national disaster management authorities and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.• Coordinate a Region 3 business community in-kind aid drive, collecting non-perishable food packages, hygiene kits (soap, sanitiser, sanitary products), water purification supplies, and emergency non-prescription medicines in collaboration with the Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC), and will provide updates when we are ready to start.• Channel all contributions through the Guyana Private Sector Commission (PSC) or other local network, ensuring full accountability and verified distribution directly to civilian populations.• Publish a public Aid Tracker on r3cci.org within 48 hours, recording all contributions and delivery confirmations.• Issue a Member Brief within 24 hours with employer guidance for businesses with Venezuelan national staff, encouraging them to extend compassion and support communication access to employees with family in affected areas.
"Our response is to the Venezuelan people — to the families, the civilians, the children. It is not directed to, coordinated with, or filtered through any government or political authority. Aid goes to people. We will work through the Guyana Private Sector Commission and relevant organisations to make sure it gets there."
— Bhabita Albert, President Essequibo Islands–West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
HOW REGION 3 BUSINESSES CAN HELP
R3CCI calls on the Region 3 business community to act in three ways:
In-kind donations. Businesses with capacity to donate food, hygiene products, water purification equipment, or medicines should contact the R3CCI office to arrange collection and logistics.
Employer support. Businesses employing Venezuelan nationals are strongly encouraged to extend compassion and support communication access to staff members with family in affected areas.
Cash contributions. Monetary donations directed for Venezuelan earthquake relief are a fully supported option. Persons may send contributions via MMG+ pay merchant to Region Chamber of Commerce — +592 630 7050. It is very important to include your first and last name and "Venezuela Relief" as the message on the transaction. Additional details will be published on r3cci.org.
About R3CCI
The Essequibo Islands–West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) is the official business membership organisation for Region 3 of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. R3CCI represents businesses of all sizes across agriculture, retail, services, manufacturing, and hospitality, and advocates for the economic development of Region 3 and the welfare of its business community.
Media Contact
Theon Alleyne, CRCP, CCEP
Vice President & Public Relations Officer
Essequibo Islands–West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry
[email protected] | +592 630 7050 | r3cci.org