On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was shaken by a double earthquake that left victims, destruction, and serious damage in several regions across the country. Although the earthquakes had their epicenter in West Venezuela, the greatest damage was recorded in La Guaira and Caracas, in the northern coastal area of the country. The states of Carabobo and Falcón also reported significant damage.

Given the magnitude of the emergency, the West Venezuela Union Mission formed two crisis management committees with the purpose of coordinating actions throughout its territory, activating humanitarian aid protocols, and supporting the efforts of the Adventist Church in the eastern region of the country, in close coordination with Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Venezuela, regional church leaders reported.

As part of this response, leaders supported the opening of collection centers in churches, administrative headquarters, educational institutions, and health centers throughout the western region. Likewise, the Venezuela Adventist Hospital, in Barquisimeto, was designated as the main collection center for storing and distributing donations, they reported.

A church mobilized by solidarity

Orlando Ramírez, president of the West Venezuela Union Mission, said he was extremely satisfied with the response received.

“It has been amazing how church members in west Venezuela have responded exceedingly amid their major challenges and economic limitations,” he said. “It was surprising when two days after the earthquake, we already had our main collection center completely full, and we were able to send the first truck to Caracas with only donations from four of the fourteen districts of the territory in the city of Barquisimeto.”

Signs of commitment multiplied in each region. Among them is the experience of Pastor Luis Conteras, from the Táchira 5 district, located on the border with Colombia. There, local churches took a step that made a difference: “We wanted each affected brother to receive not only help, but a tangible sign of God’s love. Therefore, we established a strict standard: all supplies sent had to be new and of the highest quality”.

Thanks to this initiative, they managed to collect 150 bags of food and 120 baby kits that included milk formula, cereals, baby bottles, diapers, wipes, new clothes and shoes, educational materials, notebooks, color pencils, and toys.

Despite the logistical challenges, donations were sent more than 330 miles from Ureña, Táchira, to the main collection center of the union in Barquisimeto.

In the state of Trujillo, Mariela Caldera, a member of La Floresta Church in Valera District 3, became an enthusiastic advocate for the campaign. “Even though my church actively participated in the collection, I felt in my heart that I had to do something more,” Caldera said. She shared campaign images on social media and, with the help of her pastor, facilitated donations from abroad.

Humanitarian aid across the country

The Adventist Hospital of Venezuela played an essential role as a center of operations for the intake, classification, and shipping of humanitarian aid. It became a strategic point to channel the assistance, leaders reported.

“Every detail of the work in this collection center is an act of collective empathy,” said Dr. Eglee Alastre, the institution medical director.

Five trucks loaded with food, clothing, drinking water, personal hygiene items, baby diapers, medicines, and other supplies were sent to the collection center of the El Paraíso Adventist Church in Caracas.

Although most of the aid was destined for the most affected areas in the central region of the country, shipments were also sent to Carabobo state, including bags of food for all Adventist families in the two Adventist churches in the northern part of that state and for about 500 families in the surrounding communities.

Presence and service on the ground

Ten days after the earthquakes, a team from the West Venezuela Union Mission moved to Caracas and La Guaira to provide direct support in the most impacted areas and make themselves available to ADRA Venezuela.

“It has been truly dramatic to look closely at the sorrow, anxiety, pain, and suffering on the faces of the people at ground zero in Catia La Mar, Macuto, and Caraballeda,” Ramírez said.

Ramírez, however, also highlighted multiple acts of faith and service he observed during the visit. “We witnessed many miracles and saw how young Seventh-day Adventists and Adventist groups have given themselves in body and soul to help, pray, deliver donations, and get actively and directly involved in rescue operations.”

During their stay in the affected area, the UVOC team collaborated in the logistical organization of aid at the collection center in Caracas and participated in the distribution of about a thousand hygiene kits delivered by ADRA Venezuela in two communities of La Guaira. They also had the opportunity to listen to some experiences of people affected by earthquakes.

Johan Mendoza, part of the union team, shared the testimony of Mr. José, who experienced moments of sorrow when the earthquake surprised his family at home. “Due to an illness that makes moving around difficult, José was not able not evacuate while the walls collapsed around him. José then cried out to God for help and, seconds later, his 10-year-old grandson returned to rescue him, managing to get him to safety,” Mendoza shared.

Today, although José lost all his belongings and lives with his family in a temporary shelter in La Guaira, he says his heart is full of gratitude, assured that God gave him a new chance at life and a renewed purpose.

Wendy Antequera, a member of the union team, recalled what a doctor from Brisas de Maiquetía did. “Despite losing her home, she continued to assist other people affected by the disaster, Antequera reported. “Something that I will not forget are the smiles of those people in Catia La Mar as we served them. Having lost everything, they still smiled broadly and thanked us for the assistance we provided.

As recovery efforts move forward, the West Venezuela Union remains committed to supporting those affected, Ramírez said. “As needs persist, thousands of Adventist members, volunteers, and institutions are uniting their prayers, resources, and efforts to bring hope to those who need it most.”

The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site.