Venezuela is facing a major humanitarian crisis after devastating earthquakes left millions of people in need of help. Thousands have lost their homes, while access to food, clean water and medical care is becoming increasingly difficult. Caritas Poland has donated PLN 1 million (230.000 euro) to support emergency relief efforts led by Caritas Venezuela.
The aid is being provided through the Caritas international confederation’s “Emergency Appeal” procedure, which allows member organizations to respond quickly when disasters strike. The money from Caritas Poland will help provide food, drinking water, medicine and hygiene supplies to people affected by the disaster.
According to available data, more than 10.6 million Venezuelans have been affected by the earthquakes. Around 30,000 volunteers and 700 Caritas parish teams are now involved in relief efforts. Members of local Caritas communities have also been among those killed or reported missing, particularly in the Diocese of La Guaira.
The Church Responds to a Humanitarian Crisis
One of the key elements of the emergency response is the “24×24” program run by Caritas Venezuela. It aims to deliver food, drinking water, medicine and hygiene kits within 24 hours of a need being reported.
“Because of this crisis, Caritas Venezuela has issued an urgent appeal for help to organizations across our confederation. Caritas Poland has donated one million zloty to help cover people’s most basic needs. We are also appealing to donors for solidarity and collecting funds that will be sent directly to our partner on the ground. These people have lost everything and are waiting for help. I encourage everyone with a generous heart to join us in this work of mercy,” says Caritas Poland Director Fr. Janusz Majda.
Thousands of Families Have Lost Their Homes
The destruction is on a massive scale. Nearly 60,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and around 16,000 people have been left without homes. Many are now sheltering in temporary accommodation or public spaces. Children are among those facing the greatest difficulties. More than 680,000 children need assistance, while aid workers are also reporting cases of children becoming separated from their caregivers. Ongoing aftershocks are making rescue operations even more difficult and are slowing efforts to restore normal life across the country.
International Solidarity Is Urgently Needed
Venezuela’s healthcare system has also suffered serious damage. Destroyed hospitals and limited access to clean water are raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases. Preliminary estimates suggest that rebuilding the affected areas could cost between $12 billion and $15 billion and take many years. Caritas Poland says its PLN 1 million contribution will help meet the most urgent needs, but the scale of the disaster means that much more international support will be needed. For now, the priority is clear: save lives, provide basic assistance and help people begin rebuilding their lives after one of the worst natural disasters to hit Venezuela.
The aftermath of the earthquakes in Venezuela is very serious, photo credit: fr. Dawid Dziedzic, SAC
Fr. Łukasz Bankowski, Piotr Kowalczuk, vaticannews.va/pl