(RNS) Religious aid groups have joined the effort to help victims of the floods in Venezuela that have killed more than 5,000 and perhaps as many as 20,000. Another 150,000 have been left homeless.

The Southern Baptist International Mission Board said Tuesday (Dec. 21) that it had transferred $80,000 to help pay for food, drinking water, medicines and mattresses to be distributed by Southern Baptist missionaries working in the South American nation.

The IMB said donations may be sent to its Hunger and Relief Fund -- Venezuela Flood Relief, Box 6767, Richmond, Va. 23230.

World Vision, the evangelical aid agency, said it is accepting cash and credit card donations for Venezuela. Donations may be made by calling (888) 56CHILD (English), or (888) 511-6566 (Spanish), or by mail to Box 70288, Tacoma, Wash. 98481-0288.

Baptist World Aid, the relief arm of Baptist World Alliance, said it had sent an initial $5,000 to the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela. Paul Montacute, BWAid director, said, "I know that the funds we have already sent will need to be multiplied many times if we are to provide the kind of support needed."

Among the other agencies accepting donations for Venezuela were:

Adventist Development and Relief Agency: (800) 424-ADRA, or www.adra.org.

American Jewish World Service: (800) 889-7146, or www.ajws.org.

Catholic Relief Services: (800) 736-3467, or www.catholicrelief.org. Lutheran World Relief: (800) 597-5972, or www.lwr.org. Presiding (Episcopal) Bishop's Fund for World Relief: (212) 716-6025, or www.pbfwr.org.