On June 24, two strong earthquakes struck major cities in Venezuela. Br. Antonio Reyes, OFM Custodian of Venezuela, explains that the friars throughout the country are all safe and are offering immediate assistance by coordinating with local authorities to address the urgent needs arising from an event that has already caused more than 2,500 deaths and 12,500 injuries, although these numbers are expected to rise day by day.
Brother Antonio explains that rescue operations are difficult and are often carried out using rudimentary methods due to a shortage of resources, personnel, and equipment. The collapse of key infrastructure has, in fact, made every rescue operation particularly challenging.
The friars have opened the undamaged facilities to provide shelter. The school run by the friars in Caracas is taking in displaced people, and the friars themselves are cooking all day to provide meals for those who have lost everything; for days now, they have been offering all the support they can.
The Order of Friars Minor, through the OFM Fraternitas Foundation, has launched a fundraising campaign to support their efforts and alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
