Called Abasteceme – “Supply Me” in English – the free Android app has already been downloaded more than 12,000 times.
Creator Jose Augusto Montiel said most downloads have been made by residents from the capital Caracas.

He said: “Lots of things are in short supply, but what people are most worried about is finding toilet paper. People never knew how much they needed it until it started running out.”

Nicolas Maduro, who became Venezuelan president earlier this year, claims anti-government forces are deliberately buying up basics like toilet paper to destabilise the country.