Jesuit organisations working in Venezuela are ready to help rebuild parts of the country that were hit hard by massive earthquakes earlier this year.
It comes following an emergency response to the crisis, which was launched once the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck in a matter of seconds on 24 June.
Jesuit groups, including the Xavier Network, of which Jesuit Missions is a part, provided immediate assistance, including emergency shelter, access to medication, food and clean water, and psychosocial support.
A report, titled ‘The Earth Shook, the Mission Became One’ was released by the Unidos en la Misión Foundation, which coordinated the response, detailing how Jesuit bodies reacted.
It noted that more than 6,500 died as a result of the earthquakes, with around a further 226,700 injured and roughly 24,000 displaced.
Across the entire response, more than 320 organisations and over 1,000 volunteers came together to provide support to more than 87,000 people. What’s more, over 645 tonnes of humanitarian aid was given out throughout the process.
Now, after months of tireless work, the next stage involves rebuilding the areas and communities that were affected, both physically and spiritually.
Txuo Rodriguez Villarroel SJ, Director of Unidos en la Misión and Coordinator of the Emergency Response, said in the report: “The immediate response concludes as a phase, but the mission continues.
“We must keep accompanying, recovering, rebuilding, and being present where we are needed most.”
Jesuit Missions thanks all those who prayed for the people of Venezuela and donated to the emergency appeal.
Photos: Unidos en la Misión
