Finding hope after the earthquakes
Last month, the Parish of the Good Shepherd held a second collection in response to the CAFOD Venezuela Earthquake Appeal (part of the Disasters Emergency Committee) and a total of £410.65 was donated. Thank you so much to all who supported this – here is an update on the situation in Venezuela:
In the aftermath, the emergency is far from over. For many, the long road to recovery is only just beginning, as thousands of families remain without safe shelter and struggle to earn a living. From the very outset, CAFOD’s local partner, Caritas Venezuela, has remained committed to standing alongside people who are suffering, especially those most in need. As the immediate search and rescue phase comes to an end, Caritas continues to provide emergency assistance and work with communities as they begin to rebuild their lives. Caritas Venezuela has already reached thousands of families affected. More than 21,000 tonnes of essential aid has arrived, with 86% already delivered to people and communities who need it most. CAFOD support is contributing to this wider response, helping provide families with the essentials they need to get through this difficult time:
- 22,924 families received food and hygiene supplies.
- 99,608 medical supplies and medicines were distributed, helping hospitals and healthcare centres under immense pressure.
- 13,760 food parcels provided families with essential items including rice, pasta, maize flour, sugar, tinned fish and honey.
- 9,164 hygiene kits were distributed, containing items such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and water purification tablets.
At the heart of this response are people. Around 10,000 volunteers from dioceses and parishes across Venezuela have stepped forward to help. Among them, 7,540 people have been directly involved in receiving, sorting, packing and distributing aid. They are teachers, young people, mothers, retirees and neighbours who have chosen to stand alongside families in need. Across the country, thousands of volunteers are offering practical support and a compassionate presence to families affected by the disaster.
Among them are Caritas volunteers Wilman and Aura. Their response is deeply personal. Married in their Catholic church just months before the earthquakes, they have since lost many close friends from their parish community. About half of the people who celebrated with them that day have lost their lives. Even as they grieve, they continue helping Caritas provide essential support to families who have lost so much.
“If we are alive, we have a mission,” Wilman said. “Our mission now is to work together to heal this tragedy.”
Damarys Soto, Daisy Suarez and Orlinda Mayora are also finding strength through their community and the support of Caritas. The earthquakes severely damaged their homes, forcing them to live in donated tents beside their church. Yet, despite their own loss, they returned to work at the local hospital, caring for injured and grieving neighbours. Caritas has provided them with food and essential support, but the women say that the sense of security, love and companionship they have found in their community has meant just as much. “We need friends at this moment. Caritas is our friend. They brought us security, food, love and company, and we thank all the people who have supported them to help us live through this massive and sad tragedy,” Orlinda said.
Parish of the Good Shepherd 