(OSV News): According to a July 15 update posted on X [formerly Twitter], deaths from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 had reached 4,829. According to figures released by Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly, the number of injured stood at 16,740.
The earthquakes left 17,907 people homeless, with 20,857 individuals currently seeking shelter across 106 temporary camps. The damage to infrastructure included 856 affected buildings and 190 total structural collapses.
Emergency crews have rescued 6,462 individuals from the disaster zones, and seismologists have recorded 1,284 aftershocks. In a report published on 16 July by UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, it was noted that the hundreds of aftershocks have continued to increase risks and hamper recovery efforts.
The extensive damage, especially to homes and schools, has created “a major child-focused humanitarian emergency”, as well as hardships for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and people with disabilities.
Catholics around the world—including Hong Kong [Sunday Examiner, Chancer Notice, July 12]—have joined efforts to raise funds to assist Venezuelans struggling to find basic supplies, food, and medicine.
The Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council [CELAM], posted a video on X on July 15, urging Catholics to donate to Caritas Venezuela, following the launch of their campaign, “Tras el temblor, el amor” [After the earthquake, love].
In its July 10 report, Caritas Venezuela said it had distributed 13,050 metric tonnes of aid in the 10 days following the twin earthquakes.
In Bolivia, Caritas announced a nationwide collection set to take place in parishes on July 26, urging donations that would provide food, medicine, and temporary housing to victims in Venezuela.
In a July 16 statement, Bishop Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim, president of the German Bishops’ Conference, said that initial donations made by German parishes and individuals were “received with great gratitude in Venezuela” and distributed by Caritas.
“Reconstruction will take years,” Bishop Wilmer said. “Please support Caritas International’s vital emergency relief efforts with your donation.”
