A 7.2-magnitude quake followed just 39 seconds later by another 7.5-magnitude shock – the biggest in Venezuela in over a century – flattening high-rise buildings and entire districts in the coastal state of La Guaira on June 24.
Thousands of people lost their lives and more than 17,000 people are reported injured.
Homes, schools and health facilities were damaged or destroyed, forcing many families to shelter in temporary accommodation or out in the open. Access to clean water, food, healthcare and other essential services was severely disrupted.
In a nation already facing a prolonged economic crisis, the scale of the recovery effort is unimaginable.
The United Nations estimates 1.3 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
With state services already struggling to meet everyday demands before the earthquakes, local organisations desperately need support to meet the overwhelming urgent needs.
When disasters strike, local people are always the first to respond and stay present on the long road to recovery.
Through the ACT Alliance, Act for Peace is supporting trusted local organisations already working alongside communities affected by the earthquakes. Because these organisations were part of their communities before disaster struck, they were able to respond immediately and will have a long-term presence.
Together, they scaled up their humanitarian response and providing emergency assistance, including food, clean water, healthcare, shelter and psychosocial support for people affected by the disaster.
“Now that people are receiving support from other countries, it’s such a relief because they know they’re not left behind or facing this emergency alone. We’re working with local churches because that’s how we’re able to reach some of the most difficult places.”
~ Golda Ibarra, Country Representative for Lutheran World Federation.
Local organisations continue to provide emergency assistance while expanding their work to include mental health and psychosocial support, recognising that recovery will take many months.
Alongside food, water and shelter, partners are now planning the next phase of the response, including rehabilitation of damaged homes and support for families to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
Local ACT Alliance partners have spoken about the importance of churches providing not only practical assistance but also places of comfort, hope and solidarity for people experiencing trauma and grief. With widespread trauma, psychosocial support is an increasingly important part of the humanitarian response.
While the world’s attention has shifted, the scale of need far exceeds the assistance currently available, and support is desperately needed to help impacted communities recover.
Help communities recover
Every gift helps equip trusted local organisations with the resources they need to respond effectively and recover in the long term.
Your support can help provide:
- Emergency food and clean water
- Emergency shelter and essential household items
- Primary healthcare and first aid
- Mental health and psychosocial support
- Assistance for families as they begin the long road to recovery
Please donate today to help provide life-saving assistance and support communities on the long road to recovery.