More than two weeks after twin earthquakes devastated parts of northern Venezuela, Seventh-day Adventist volunteers, medical professionals, pastors, and humanitarian teams continue providing emergency relief, healthcare, and spiritual support to survivors across some of the country’s hardest-hit communities.
Working through local conferences, the East and West Venezuela Unions and the Adventist National Service Corps, hundreds of volunteers have distributed food, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and emotional and spiritual care while assisting rescue operations and recovery efforts in Caracas, La Guaira, and surrounding communities.
One of the largest community outreach events took place July 11 in Playa Mare, La Guaira, where church leaders and volunteers organized a day of humanitarian assistance for residents still recovering from the disaster.
According to Pastor Ney Devis, president of the Central Venezuela Conference, volunteers distributed more than 1,000 food packages, 500 personal hygiene kits, and hundreds of medications during the outreach.
Nearly 300 residents also received free healthcare services, including general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, physiotherapy, psychology, psychiatry, legal counseling, and chaplaincy care.
“Our community is receiving the blessings of our Lord Jesus,” said Liseth Boada, one of the beneficiaries. “Thank you, Adventist Church. You have brought food for the soul, the body, and the heart.”
Another resident, Jesusita, encouraged volunteers to continue serving despite the difficult conditions.
“Even though the situation is painful and dangerous, we must continue trusting in Jesus Christ,” she said. “May God protect every Adventist leader and volunteer so they can keep serving communities with the love and compassion they have shown.”
Volunteers also distributed thousands of missionary booklets sharing messages of faith, hope, and God’s presence with families affected by the disaster.
Rescue Teams Respond
The humanitarian outreach followed more than two weeks of continuous emergency operations carried out by the Adventist National Service Corps (Cuerpo de Servicio Nacional Adventista), whose specialized rescue teams were deployed immediately after the June 24 earthquakes.
Under the direction of Jesús David Chacón, 124 trained responders—including physicians, nurses, paramedics, first-aid specialists, physiotherapists, pastors, mechanics, electricians, and logistics personnel—served in Caracas, La Guaira, and other affected areas.
“Our priority has always been saving lives,” said Paul Trujillo, national operations director of the Adventist National Service Corps.
Using specialized rescue equipment, teams searched collapsed structures for survivors, removed debris, recovered victims, and provided emergency medical attention while supporting government response efforts.
“When we are in the field, the greatest experience is seeing God at work alongside people in the midst of tragedy,” Trujillo said. “Everything we do is so people may know that God remains in control.”
Three Phases of Response
Church leaders organized the emergency response in three phases.
The first focused on collecting, sorting, and transporting donations—including food, water, clothing, medicines, blankets, and hygiene supplies—from collection centers throughout eastern and western Venezuela to distribution hubs in Caracas and La Guaira. Nearly 300 Adventist Cadets helped collect, package, and load relief supplies for transport.
The second phase centered on technical rescue operations in collapsed areas, including search-and-rescue efforts, emergency medical care, and recovery operations.
The current phase emphasizes humanitarian assistance in temporary shelters, rural communities, and field hospitals, where church volunteers continue providing healthcare, psychological support, food, medicines, hygiene supplies, clothing, and spiritual encouragement.
Teams have also helped assess potential public health risks and educate communities on preventive measures to reduce the spread of disease.
“This has truly been a coordinated effort involving every specialty to provide timely assistance to those who need it most,” said José Fermín, operations director for the Adventist National Service Corps in the East Venezuela Union.
Chacón said the experience has reinforced the importance of strengthening the church’s service ministry.
“We want to continue bringing together people with a spirit of service,” he said. “By uniting our efforts in health, emergency response, and community service, we can impact many more lives.”
As recovery continues across Venezuela, church leaders say Adventist members throughout the country remain committed to demonstrating Christ’s compassion through practical service—bringing physical relief, emotional support, and hope to communities facing one of the nation’s most devastating natural disasters.
To read the original article, please go here.
