Venezuela (MNN) — It’s been nearly a month since twin earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela on June 24, 2026. The death toll crossed the 5,200 mark over the past weekend, and that number will keep rising. But the work of recovery is increasingly grim.
“Many of the deceased are being buried in unmarked, mass graves because they haven’t been identified for any family member,” says Annabel Torrealba, the International Director of Latin America and the Caribbean Hispanic Ministry for TWR.
Torrealba says their local team, RTM Venezuela, is persevering despite power outages.
“Most of the time, they have to use a generator to keep the computers and lights on. But it works with gasoline, and it’s hard to find gasoline, also,” she says.
“We have sessions of two hours to record programs and do some interviews with people that are in those places. Because our goal is to let the audience know what is happening and how they can help.”
The team even risks working in their damaged, eight-floor office in order to keep recording special programs for Venezuelans.
(Photo courtesy Radio Trans Mundial de Venezuela)
“There isn’t any other way. You have to go and do something,” says Torrealba. “It seems some walls are damaged, and the roof has some damage also, but they don’t think that [they] can fall.” They are waiting for the authorities to officially inspect the building, but there is a long list of other buildings that need the same attention.
Authorities say that more than 17,900 people lost their homes in the earthquakes. Torrealba says many of RTM Venezuela’s listeners come from an area where the quakes hit hard. These Christians are rallying to help others in need. The gospel is making an impact, she says.
“We notice that many of the people that are helping in the area [and] from the area are believers,” she says. Meanwhile, “those that refused to believe before this tragedy, most of them are thanking God because they are alive. And all others are trying to look for ways to connect with God.”
People are asking for Bibles, which RTM Venezuela’s team does not have access to yet.
“But we have devotional books. They are giving away those devotional books to different churches that are going to those shelters,” says Torrealba.
The Church in Venezuela is actively responding to the needs. Torrealba says the team interviewed one leader over multiple churches in Venezuela
“He told us that the response of churches across Venezuela has been immense, with support pouring in from every corner of the country,” says Torrealba. “He emphasized that the primary focus right now is delivering vital spiritual and psychological support to survivors.”
Pastors ask for prayer for God to give them energy and strength as churches help with the emotionally taxing work of recovery.
“It’s hard to describe, and you are broken too because you are suffering just looking at the devastation there. They are asking for supernatural strength,” says Torrealba.
“Pray for those working in the front lines, including helpers in hospitals, shelter volunteers, and those carrying out the heavy task of recovering bodies. Most of them are working with their own hands, trying to remove the rubble and trying to reach out to bodies, and without any protection.”
July 24 is normally a holiday in Venezuela, as they commemorate Simón Bolívar, the country’s liberator.
“Nobody is thinking about those celebrations or [taking] time off or anything. They just want to get their family members out of the rubble,” says Torrealba. “Pray for them.”
Pray also for government authorities in Venezuela to make right decisions that help the people to rebuild the country.
Learn more about RTM Venezuela here.
Header photo: Caracas, 2024 (Stock Photo courtesy of Bona Lee via Unsplash)
