> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.3dprinterforbeginners.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Makers Printed Thousands of Medical Splints for Venezuela — Now Bambu Lab Is Scaling the Effort - URL: https://www.3dprinterforbeginners.com/bambu-lab-venezuela-earthquake-maker-relief/ - Published: 2026-07-09T02:11:02.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-09T02:11:02.000Z - Description: Within days of Venezuela's devastating June 24 earthquakes, makers across 11 countries had printed over 2,600 medical splints. Now Bambu Lab is adding a 48-hour charity fundraiser starting July 13. - Author: Ryan Mitchell - Tags: 3D Printing News When twin earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24 — a magnitude 7.2 followed by a 7.5, the strongest the country has seen since 1900 — the 3D printing community didn't wait for official channels. The numbers are staggering: more than 3,500 people killed, over 16,000 injured, 50,000 still missing, and 17,000 left homeless. But within days, a distributed network of makers was already responding. ## It Started with One Open-Source File Ostec3D, a Venezuelan initiative focused on 3D-printed orthoses, released a complete set of printable thermoplastic splint files for free. That single decision set off a chain reaction across the global maker community. By June 30 — less than a week after the earthquake — 97 workshops and teams in 11 countries had joined the production effort. Together, they printed 2,625 splints, with 828 already delivered to people who needed them. One standout story: Brady Ashcroft, a 16-year-old maker, ran eight printers non-stop and turned out over 100 splints on his own. On the ground in Venezuela, LayerLab (Bambu Lab's local distributor) coordinated day-to-day logistics and donated 160 kg of filament to keep production moving. Makers printed not just splints but cervical collars and oxygen cone connectors — small, critical parts that hospitals couldn't source fast enough. ## Bambu Lab Steps In Bambu Lab's LATAM team has committed USD $50,000 in direct financial aid and is supplying LayerLab with ongoing filament and printer support. But the company is also opening the effort to its broader community with a **48-hour charity fundraiser starting Monday, July 13 at 8:00 AM (UTC−4)**. Here's how it works: - Purchase PLA Basic Refill in Venezuelan flag colors (Yellow, Blue, or Red) from the Bambu Lab US or EU store - Enter promo code **4Venezuela** at checkout - Bambu Lab donates the full $20 retail price per roll to the UN Crisis Relief Fund — even if you pay less with a discount The company explicitly covers any difference between what you pay and the MSRP-based donation. After the campaign closes on July 15, the total raised and donation confirmation will be published publicly. ## Why This Matters for the 3D Printing Community This event highlights something unique about 3D printing: when supply chains fail, distributed manufacturing can fill the gap faster than traditional logistics. A validated design, shared openly online, can reach a hundred print farms across the world in hours. As Bambu Lab put it in their blog post: "A few machines, a good file, and someone willing to put in the hours — that's the whole barrier to entry now." If you want to help beyond buying filament, Ostec3D's splint files are freely available on [MakerWorld](https://makerworld.com/en/@Ostec3D?ref=3dprinterforbeginners.com) and [Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/1766687-body-casts-to-help-venezuelan-earthquake-victims?ref=3dprinterforbeginners.com). Just note: these splints must be thermoformed by trained healthcare professionals before use. --- **Sources:** - [Bambu Lab Blog — When Venezuela Needed Help, the Makers Moved First](https://blog.bambulab.com/when-venezuela-needed-help-the-makers-moved-first/?ref=3dprinterforbeginners.com) - [PR Newswire — Bambu Lab Announces 48-Hour Charity Fundraiser](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bambu-lab-announces-48-hour-charity-fundraiser-to-support-venezuela-earthquake-relief-302819442.html?ref=3dprinterforbeginners.com)