SCIAF launches Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

It’s 5am on 25th June and the first emails are coming through from a Programme Officer about the unfolding devastation in Venezuela following two earthquakes. Being part of the Caritas network at times like this is a lifeline, enabling a global response at times of great need. 

Venezuela has been suffering for many years with a protracted humanitarian crisis, off the back of political, economic turmoil. This turmoil has not just stretched international response authorities (including health services), but hospitals too. Hospitals which are now overrun with people arriving from communities affected by the crisis.

At times of crisis, such as this, it is the community and national structures that respond – the churches being a part of these. Parish networks are in effect, a response agency, turning into logistic hubs, with people sleeping in church halls. The community is responding. But there will always be huge need when emergencies like this hit.  

However, there is an international response, and within the first 72 hours of an emergency like this, search and rescue teams land. With basic infrastructure destroyed, access in many communities is limited, but our local Caritas partners are able to provide a comprehensive picture of the situation, enabling the national response team to reach the affected area. 

With global aid budgets having now been drastically cut, making the case for providing humanitarian assistance has become much more difficult. This means that in many events, people don’t get the support they so desperately need. And this is why our emergencies work is so vital, and your support is needed more than ever. 

Your support in times of crisis like this enables our local Caritas partners to respond immediately, assess the situation and provide practical support to those in most need. By reaching out in times of crisis, you are standing in solidarity, bringing hope in the immediate aftermath, and in the time to follow as communities rebuild their lives.