Venezuela earthquake spurs international aid drives and church appeals

A month after twin quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela, the disaster has been described as "apocalyptic" with whole neighborhoods erased, thousands dead and tens of thousands missing. Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas warned that the death toll far exceeds official figures, estimating 20‑30 000 fatalities and a still larger number of displaced people.

In response, the Italian Catholic Church organized a national collection in parishes on 26 July, raising about €1 550 that was sent to Caritas Venezuela. The effort was coordinated with the German‑based foundation Ayuda a la Iglesia Necesitada (ACN), which has been active in disaster zones worldwide. Both initiatives aim to provide food, shelter and other relief to the affected communities, especially in La Guaira and surrounding regions.

The combined appeals highlight the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the need for continued international support.