Venezuela (MNN) — Acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency after twin earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24.
The quakes leveled hundreds of buildings, including many in Caracas and the neighboring port city of La Guaira. As of Sunday, at least 1,450 people lost their lives, with tens of thousands reported missing. And the danger is not over yet.
“They’re looking at probably 100 or more aftershocks in the days following,” says Ethan Forhetz with Convoy of Hope. “So you never know which aftershock will be the last one that is going to bring down an already weakened building.”
Convoy of Hope was already on the ground in Venezuela at the time of the quakes. Their team isn’t equipped for search-and-rescue efforts already underway, “but we are there to provide life-sustaining items for the people who need it, and we do so in the name of Jesus,” says Forhetz.
That’s already looking like food, water filters, and other tangible resources going out through local churches. Forhetz says other aid, such as tent equipment, solar-powered chargers, and solar lanterns, is in process as well.
“We work through the local church in many cases. That is true there [in Venezuela] as well, as best we can, to work through the local church to help them to minister to the people in their community, and really allow the church to shine the light and to be the church,” says Forhetz. “That leads to relationship, to discipleship, and to questions about our faith.”
(Stock photo courtesy of Edgardo Espejo via Pexels)
As the death toll and damage assessments climb in Venezuela, please take action today. That starts with prayer.
“The people of Venezuela need our prayers. They needed our prayers before the earthquake, so they really, in earnest, need our prayers right now,” says Forhetz.
“If you’re able, make a donation to convoyofhope.org/mission. We are gathering supplies through those donations.”
Find Convoy of Hope on social media and see what their teams are doing in Venezuela, as well as around the world to serve people.
“The eyes of the media are fairly quick to leave a disaster like this,” says Forhetz, “but this is a long-term emergency in Venezuela. The people need a long-term response, and Convoy of Hope is committed to working to meet their needs long-term.”
Header photo courtesy of Davide Locatelli via Pexels.
