“What reaches us through the media is nothing compared to the immense scale of this tragedy.” That’s the firsthand report from Fr. Uba, one of our Salesian missionaries, upon his arrival in Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes on June 24th. To date, the catastrophic disaster has claimed more than 5,000 lives, injured nearly 17,000 residents, and left tens of thousands without homes or access to basic necessities.
“La Guaira has been devastated from one end to the other. There is hardly a street where you do not find a destroyed building or house. Sometimes you come across buildings that appear to be three or four stories high, but what you cannot see is that those floors are now lying on the ground,” describes Fr. Uba.
He adds, “We came across many people living in small tents, people who had lost everything: their homes, furniture, memories, identification documents – everything. They were now living with nothing, in a tent, without water or electricity.”
One encounter made a lasting impression on Fr. Uba. A mother known as “La Negra” shared that she and one of her sons survived only because they were away from home when the earthquake struck. Though she had lost loved ones and continued searching for others, she told Father Uba she could not allow herself to cry because she needed to remain strong for her children. Her quiet courage reflected the resilience of countless Venezuelan families now facing the long road to recovery.
For many survivors, rebuilding means far more than replacing damaged buildings. Recovery is measured not only by homes rebuilt, but by lives restored. As families receive the assistance they need to begin again, they are finding renewed strength to face the future with courage and faith.
Amid the devastation, extraordinary acts of generosity are unfolding each day. Volunteers travel from across Venezuela carrying food, water, clothing and tools. Doctors and nurses work long hours caring for the injured, while young people gather children together for games, sports and improvised lessons, offering moments of comfort and normalcy in the midst of unimaginable loss.
As families face the overwhelming task of rebuilding their lives, our Salesian missionaries are responding with emergency assistance and compassionate care. Through our Venezuela earthquake emergency appeal – and the generous response of caring friends like you – support is being provided for food, clean water, temporary shelter, medical supplies and other essential items.
“Our commitment to the victims in Venezuela will not end when the headlines fade,” explains Father Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “Our missionaries remain dedicated to walking alongside families as they recover from this tragedy, providing both immediate assistance and the long-term support needed to instill hope.”
Learn more about our work in Venezuela.
Our mission is to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery support for victims of catastrophic disasters and unthinkable tragedies. What’s your mission?
*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.