A message from CBF Global Mission Coordinator Laura Ayala: Our Venezuelan Baptist brothers and sisters, despite facing numerous challenges, have successfully coordinated a response effort. Currently, their primary focus is on distributing food and hygiene kits, as well as assisting congregations in La Guaira to serve as distribution centers. Official statistics currently report 2,000 deaths, 10,000 injuries, and 15,000 displaced individuals. However, over 40,000 people remain unaccounted for. As these numbers and the needs on the ground continue to change rapidly, financial support is the most effective way to contribute. They have the necessary suppliers to obtain essential items and medicines. Given the complexities involved, it is not advisable to collect items to send to Venezuela at this time. We will inform our congregations once we have reliable methods established. Please give to support CBF Disaster Response at www.cbf.net/dr-give.
By Irene María de Sousa
Venezuelan journalist and writer living in exile in the United States
David Venegas
Photojournalist for Últimas Noticias
Since Wednesday, June 24, every Venezuelan has been deeply wounded by the catastrophe that struck our country. Two devastating earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have left Venezuela mortally wounded.
As I write these words, there are still people trapped beneath the rubble waiting to be rescued. Children have been orphaned or separated from their families. Some survivors are unable to comprehend that they are still alive and wander the streets in shock, without direction or hope. Many have lost everything, but thetruth is that all of us have lost a part of ourselves.
Over the past few days, my tears have reminded me that I have come to understand one of the most difficult commandments our Heavenly Father gave us: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
I first thought of my own family and thanked God for their safety, living every moment with them through the painful distance that exile has imposed upon me. But I have also mourned every life lost, every mother who died saving her children, every child left without parents, as though they were my own family. Because they are. Every one of them is part of my family.
For decades, Venezuelans have endured a corrupt and tyrannical dictatorship that, driven by populist policies, allowed the construction of poor-quality infrastructure that could not withstand earthquakes of this magnitude. Today, our nation also lacks the resources necessary to confront a disaster of this scale on its own. Urgent international assistance is needed, especially medicines, medical supplies and emergency equipment to care for the injured and support ongoing rescue efforts.
Where the government has failed, ordinary Venezuelans have stepped forward to rescue their brothers and sisters. We have also received support from many countries that are doing everything they can to help us, and we will remain forever grateful for every helping hand extended during this time of unimaginable suffering.
As the cities where we grew up begin to resemble cemeteries, and the need for forensic resources grows by the hour, Venezuelans living abroad cannot continue our lives as though nothing has happened. We are all wounded. Our thoughts remain fixed on our homeland, Venezuela and on finding every possible way to help our people.
We are overwhelmed by a profound sense of helplessness, but also by an urgent responsibility to raise our voices and ask the world to unite—in prayer and in tangible acts of compassion. Every gesture matters. Every contribution makes a difference. Thank you, on behalf of the entire Brave People of Venezuela. God is with us.
Please give to support the efforts of CBF Disaster Response at www.cbf.net/dr-give.