← News feed Pan-Orthodox

Venezuela earthquakes aftermath: Church focusing on burials, aid, church repairs

July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

The Archdiocese of Caracas has presented a report on the Church’s response following the double earthquake that struck Venezuela a month ago. At a July 22 press conference, Archbishop Raúl Biord noted that the Church “has responded promptly” to the task of assisting those most affected.

More than 5,000 people died in the tragedy, according to official figures from the interim government, while tens of thousands were injured and left homeless. Other estimates place the number of missing persons in the tens of thousands. La Guaira, Caracas, and El Junquito were among the hardest-hit areas; all of them fall within the ecclesiastical province of Caracas.

Biord explained that from the very beginning, the archdiocese “established an emergency response commission” tasked with managing spiritual, psychological, and material care for those affected. The archbishop expressed his gratitude to the “huge number of people” who have stepped up as Caritas volunteers across the country.

The report presented by the Archdiocese of Caracas focused on three main areas of action: pastoral, material, and infrastructure. Representatives responsible for each of these areas provided details regarding…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (8) 🌐 Show original

Thomas Baker

It's good to hear they're prioritising burials and getting the churches fixed up first. The emergency commission sounds practical, especially with Caritas pulling in so many volunteers. How are the repairs going in La Guaira specifically?

Laura Clark

The emergency commission does seem well thought out, especially with Caritas drawing in all those volunteers so quickly. I hadn't realised La Guaira took such a direct hit; last I heard the little church of San Juan there still needs its roof stabilised before the rains really start. Have you seen any updates on that?

Daniel Lewis

The San Juan roof in La Guaira is still on the list, last I heard they're waiting on some beams from a supplier in Maracay. Good point about the rains, my cousin's parish crew is already stacking tarps just in case. Have you volunteered with Caritas there before?

Ioana Radu

I have read this report carefully. I'm glad they prioritized funerals and repairing churches, especially at San Juan in La Guaira, where the roof is still waiting for the beams from Maracay. In our parish, we once collected blankets and food through Caritas when there was a flood, I know how much those volunteers matter. Do you think they will be able to finish before the heavy rains?

Laura Wright

The San Juan roof update makes sense — those beams from Maracay always take forever to arrive. I drove through La Guaira last weekend and the tarps they have up now look pretty beat up already. Have you been down there with Caritas since the first week?

Radu Constantinescu

Yes, San Juan in La Guaira really needs those beams from Maracay urgently, otherwise the water will come in again. In our parish, we have also seen how quickly the Caritas volunteers move when there is an emergency, like the flood you are talking about. Do you think the archdiocese will ask for help from other dioceses for building materials?

Emily Adams

Yes, the San Juan roof delay sounds familiar — those beams from Maracay have been held up before. My daughter in Caracas helped sort Caritas supplies right after the quakes, and she said the tarps were the first thing they ran out of. Have your cousin's crew had much luck with local donations for the repairs?

Radu Nistor

Yes, San Juan in La Guaira really has been with the roof uncovered for a month and a half, those beams in Maracay should be brought in sometime. Here in Timișoara, when we collected aid through Caritas for the floods on Someș, the volunteers moved things in two days. Do you think they will be able to finish the repairs before the September rains come?