Venezuela: After the earthquakes, communities are finding hope

Nurses Damarys, Daisy and Orlinda

Source: CAFOD

On 24 June, two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela, causing deep sorrow, loss of life and severe material damage in various regions of the country.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes, the emergency is far from over. Thousands of families remain without safe shelter, while communities continue to grieve the loss of loved ones, search for missing family members and struggle to earn a living.

For many, the long road to recovery is only just beginning. The earthquakes have also deepened an already severe humanitarian crisis.

From the very outset, our local partner, Caritas Venezuela, has remained committed to standing alongside people who are suffering, especially those most in need. As the immediate search and rescue phase comes to an end, Caritas continues to provide emergency assistance and work with communities as they begin to rebuild their lives. This wouldn't be possible without your support so thank you.

Across the country, thousands of volunteers are offering practical support and a compassionate presence to families affected by the disaster.

Among them are Caritas volunteers Wilman and Aura. Their response is deeply personal. Married in their Catholic church just months before the earthquakes, they have since lost many close friends from their parish community. About half of the people who celebrated with them that day have lost their lives.

Even as they grieve, they continue helping Caritas provide essential support to families who have lost so much.

"If we are alive, we have a mission," Wilman said. "Our mission now is to work together to heal this tragedy."

Damarys Soto, Daisy Suarez and Orlinda Mayora are also finding strength through their community and the support of Caritas.

The earthquakes severely damaged their homes, forcing them to live in donated tents beside their church. Yet, despite their own loss, they returned to work at the local hospital, caring for injured and grieving neighbours.

Caritas has provided them with food and essential support, but the women say that the sense of security, love and companionship they have found in their community has meant just as much.

"We need friends at this moment. Caritas is our friend. They brought us security, food, love and company, and we thank all the people who have supported them to help us live through this massive and sad tragedy," Orlinda said.

The road ahead will not be easy, but the three women remain supported by one another, their community and the Church.

"We believe we are going to get through this," one of the women said. "We have hope."

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, alongside support from across the international Caritas family and the tireless commitment of local volunteers, Caritas Venezuela has already reached thousands of families affected by the earthquakes. More than 21,000 tonnes of essential aid have arrived, with 86% already delivered to people and communities who need it most.

Your support is contributing to this wider response, helping provide families with the essentials they need to get through this difficult time:

22,924 families received food and hygiene supplies. 99,608 medical supplies and medicines were distributed, helping hospitals and healthcare centres under immense pressure. 13,760 food parcels provided families with essential items including rice, pasta, maize flour, sugar, tinned fish and honey. 9,164 hygiene kits were distributed, containing items such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and water purification tablets.

At the heart of this response are people. Around 10,000 volunteers from dioceses and parishes across Venezuela have stepped forward to help. Among them, 7,540 people have been directly involved in receiving, sorting, packing and distributing aid.

They are teachers, young people, mothers, retirees and neighbours who have chosen to stand alongside families in need. Thanks to you, they are not standing alone.

Every day, an average of 280 volunteers worked on the operation, with an average working day of 7.5 hours per person, amounting to 2,100 hours of service each day in support of the affected families.

Many of these volunteers are serving communities that they themselves are part of, accompanying neighbours through one of the most difficult moments in their lives while they, themselves, are going through similar loss.

Although much has already been achieved, the emergency is far from over. Many families still need food, clean water, shelter, healthcare and emotional support. Recovery will take many months, and local communities will continue to rely on the presence of Caritas long after the immediate emergency has faded from the headlines.

CAFOD will continue to stand alongside Caritas Venezuela as they accompany communities through this next phase of recovery.

Thank you for your prayers, your generosity and your solidarity. Together, we can continue bringing hope to families affected by this devastating disaster.

Across Venezuela, the Church has become a place of refuge, comfort and hope. Parishes have opened their doors to families in need, while priests, religious sisters and volunteers continue to accompany people who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. Alongside practical assistance, they are providing pastoral care, emotional support and a reassuring presence for communities facing immense uncertainty.

This nationwide effort has been spearheaded by the leadership of Mgr Jesús González de Zárate, President of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV), and benefits from the significant presence and support of Mgr Alberto Ortega Martín, Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela, as a visible sign of the communion and closeness of the universal Church to our people.

Donate to the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal: https://cafod.org.uk/news/emergencies-news/after-the-earthquakes-in-venezuela?form=VenezuelaEarthquake