Voices of Venezuela- Conversation with Humanitarian Leaders & Direct Relief
**Events may have been canceled or postponed. Please contact the venue to confirm the event.
Date & Time
Tue, Oct 27 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Address (map)
6100 Wallace Becknell Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Venue (website)
Direct Relief Hatch Hall
You’re Invited! Join Direct Relief for a special conversation with humanitarian leaders supporting communities across Venezuela.
Join Direct Relief in person or online for a special conversation about resilience, recovery, and hope in Venezuela.
On Tuesday, October 27, Direct Relief will welcome Feliciano Reyna, founder and president of Acción Solidaria, and Patricia Velásquez, award-winning actress, humanitarian advocate, and founder of the Wayúu Tayá Foundation, to Santa Barbara for an evening of conversation about the humanitarian challenges facing Venezuela, the people working to address them, and the path toward recovery.
One of Venezuela’s leading humanitarian voices, Feliciano Reyna has dedicated decades to expanding access to healthcare and essential medicines for vulnerable communities. Through Acción Solidaria, a longtime Direct Relief partner, he and his team have continued this vital work amid years of humanitarian challenges. Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in June, Acción Solidaria has played a critical role in Direct Relief’s emergency response, helping ensure medical assistance reaches communities in need.
Patricia Velásquez is an internationally recognized actress, activist, and humanitarian whose commitment to Indigenous communities spans more than two decades. In 2002, she founded the Wayúu Tayá Foundation to improve the lives of Indigenous communities across Latin America while preserving their cultures, traditions, and beliefs. She serves as the Organization of American States Goodwill Ambassador for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2003. Through her foundation, a Direct Relief partner, she has helped advance access to essential resources and support for underserved communities, including those affected by Venezuela’s recent earthquakes.
Together, Feliciano and Patricia will share firsthand perspectives on the realities facing Venezuelan communities, the critical role of locally led organizations in humanitarian response and recovery, and how partnerships with Direct Relief are helping deliver essential assistance to those who need it most. Their conversation will also explore the resilience of the Venezuelan people and the individuals and experiences that give them hope for the country’s future.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
In-person event: 5–7 p.m.
Livestream begins: 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Livestream link found here.
Location: Direct Relief Headquarters, Hatch Hall, Santa Barbara, California
Attend in person or join virtually. For those unable to attend in Santa Barbara, the conversation will be livestreamed beginning at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Join Direct Relief for an evening of meaningful conversation and an opportunity to hear directly from two extraordinary humanitarian leaders working to strengthen communities and build a more hopeful future for Venezuela.
