The humanitarian response to the earthquake in Venezuela, with almost 3,000 confirmed deaths and thousands injured and missing, as well as dozens of damaged hospitals, continues to arrive.

Several evangelical organisations with roots in Spain have already launched operations on the ground or set up fundraising initiatives to channel the solidarity of churches.

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World Vision: Safe spaces for children and food distribution

World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organisation present in Venezuela since 2019, is currently focusing on child protection.

In the initial phase, they distributed hygiene kits and food parcels to 215 households and set up two Child-Friendly Spaces in Caracas, where 54 children and adolescents received psychosocial support and took part in activities to help them recover emotionally.

The operation was supported by the Roman Catholic Church and the Central University of Venezuela.

World Vision currently operates in the Capital District, Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, Falcón and Yaracuy, and is involved in humanitarian coordination mechanisms to avoid duplication of efforts.

A further 300 food parcels and hygiene kits were scheduled for distribution on 30 June.

“The humanitarian response has now entered a phase in which protecting children is just as important as meeting immediate humanitarian needs”, said Peter Gape, World Vision’s country director for Colombia and Venezuela.

REMAR: Helping on the ground in La Guaira

The Spanish Christian organisations REMAR SOS, REMAR International and Mensajeros de la Paz also activated their emergency protocol from the outset.

REMAR Venezuela volunteers travelled to La Guaira to assess the situation and distribute food and basic supplies.

Furthermore, a team of emergency response specialists set off from Madrid for Venezuela, via Medellín, to support the response efforts. They have previous experience of crises such as the earthquakes in Turkey and Libya, and the war in Ukraine.

REMAR has been working in Venezuela since 1999, running programmes including soup kitchens, support for the homeless, hospital visits, spiritual support, and activities for children and young people.

Alianza Solidaria: Aid through local networks

Alianza Solidaria (AS), the humanitarian organisation of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE), has launched a fundraising campaign.

Venezuela is a country the organisation knows well. During the nation’s most challenging years, when restrictions limited the entry of aid to many organisations, AS maintained a presence through its networks in Colombia and its links with local churches, supporting food programmes in cities such as Maracaibo and Caracas.

“Together we can provide the local aid they need to address the emergency and give them hope” points Francisca Capa, president of Alianza Solidaria.

Diaconía for food security and water access

Diaconía, the social arm of the Spanish Federation of Evangelical Churches (FEREDE), has set up a specific account for the Venezuelan emergency.

The funds raised will be used for food security, child protection, and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

They will be managed through World Vision, which employs more than 200 people working in the worst-affected areas.

Churches and denominations: Pentecostals and Brethren

At a denominational level, the Assemblies of God in Spain (FADE) have reported that their social action department is in direct contact with the superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Venezuela, as well as with those in the metropolitan district and La Guaira.

According to contacts on the ground, there are hundreds of people on the streets, and hospitals are overwhelmed. Aid will be channelled through the Assemblies of God in Venezuela.

COAHES (Coordinating Body of Brethren Assemblies) has reported that it has received news of fatalities and serious injuries among its church members.

They have set up an aid channel which will be managed from Colombia by representatives connected to the International Brethren Connections for Mission (IBCM) who have direct knowledge of the needs and contacts in Venezuela.

The Federation of Free Independent Evangelical Churches in Spain (FIEIDE) has been in touch with its counterpart denomination in Venezuela, ADIEL, and is also channeling financial support to help the work of local evangelical churches on the ground.