Four days after twin earthquakes leveled neighborhoods across Venezuela, the search for survivors continues - and the body of Christ is already there.
As of today, at least 1,430 people have been confirmed dead, more than 51,000 remain missing, and over 300 aftershocks have rattled a country still trying to find its footing. Rescue crews are racing against time as the critical 72-hour survival window closes.
But in the middle of the rubble, faith-based organizations have moved fast.
Samaritan's Purse airlifted nearly 100,000 pounds of relief supplies - including an Emergency Field Hospital - to Venezuela on June 27, with disaster response specialists already on the ground and dozens more on the way. The ministry said it is providing medical care and clean water while "pointing people, young and old, to the eternal hope found only in Jesus Christ."
Catholic Relief Services is working through Caritas Venezuela and the local Church to deliver emergency shelter, food, safe water, and medical care to affected families. Catholic parishes across the country have already opened their doors to shelter displaced residents.
The U.S. government has pledged $150 million in aid, with funds specifically allocated to faith-based groups including Samaritan's Purse and Catholic Relief Services, alongside UN agencies the World Food Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
World Vision is on the ground assessing needs and preparing relief for children and families. GEM (Greater Europe Mission), partnering with I Love Venezuela, has emergency response teams packing food, water, hygiene kits, and medical supplies for immediate distribution. The Jesuit Refugee Service is providing emergency supplies, shelter support, psychosocial care, and what they describe as "pastoral accompaniment" to affected families.
Two elite U.S. search and rescue teams - from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County - are currently on the ground pulling people from collapsed buildings. Officials confirmed survivors were found in the last hours, and teams continue working through the rubble.
Venezuela needs prayers as much as it needs supplies. If you want to give, every one of the organizations below is verified and active on the ground right now:
How to Give:
- Samaritan's Purse - samaritanspurse.org
- Catholic Relief Services - crs.org/donate/venezuela-earthquake
- World Vision - worldvision.org
- World Central Kitchen - wck.org
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