Immediate response evolving into long-term effort

(MissionNewswire) Salesians are continuing to provide aid for victims of two devastating earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela* on June 24, 2026. The earthquakes have left widespread destruction, loss of life and thousands of families in urgent need.

Salesians report that more than 10,600 homes are classified as high risk and a further 13,700 have sustained damage that limits their habitability. Only about a quarter of the rubble has been cleared, and La Guaira remains a severely affected area where thousands of people continue to depend on aid to survive. The authorities have provided some new homes, and construction and rehousing work is continuing, but the needs remain enormous.

“The process of demolishing buildings is continuing, and in other areas, people are still searching for missing family members,” explained Salesian Father Bastidas. “As Salesians, we remain committed to finding ways to support and manage the aid intended for families who have lost everything.”

This support began in the very first hours following the earthquakes. As well as distributing essential aid, Salesians carried out a needs assessment and a census of the people most in need. In just over two months that immediate response has evolved into a more organized and long-term effort.

The Salesian network has reached around 4,000 people, distributing 508 food kits and hygiene kits for families, as well as over 2,800 food rations and around 4,000 liters (more than 1,000 gallons) of water. More than 200 families in El Campito, Campo de Golf and Playa Vasito, in La Guaira, have received comprehensive assistance to meet their basic needs for a month, as well as medicines and psychosocial support.

Teams comprising of psychologists, educational psychologists, social workers, educators, volunteers, and older youth are supporting those affected and providing spaces for listening and emotional support.

A Salesian said, “Caring for children is one of our priorities and so, in our family homes, we look after boys and girls during the day so that their parents can go to work or carry out necessary errands.”

The concern now is that, as the weeks go by, the emergency will cease to make the headlines while the needs remain. The Salesian added, “There are already communities that are receiving no support at all. That is why we continue to identify the most vulnerable areas with the least assistance in order to focus our efforts there.”

Salesians around the globe continue to raise funding to help support these efforts. After the immediate aid is distributed, Venezuela will be facing the task of reconstruction. Salesian missionaries live and work in these communities and will help aid in that process.

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Venezuela – Two months on from the earthquake, aid is still needed

Salesian Missions – Venezuela

*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.