Venezuelan Earthquakes Leave Families Grieving, Displaced, and in Need of Hope

Venezuela (K4K) — Venezuela is reeling after two powerful earthquakes struck near Caracas and the coastal region of La Guaira, leaving behind collapsed buildings, shattered communities, and thousands of families searching for safety. Both earthquakes were reported at above magnitudes 7.0 and caused some of the heaviest damage in La Guaira and parts of Caracas. Now, Keys for Kids Ministries has launched a special project to help.

Rescue and recovery efforts continue as aftershocks, damaged roads, and limited access have slowed the response. Reports say the death toll has climbed into the thousands, with many more injured, missing, or displaced.

Families have been sleeping outside, in cars, in open spaces, and in emergency shelters because their homes were destroyed or are no longer safe. Save the Children reported that kids are among the dead, injured, missing, and that some were separated from their families during evacuations.

One pastor, we’ll call Pastor Mateo, serving in Venezuela says the devastation isn’t only in the areas receiving the most attention. “The towns surrounding these Caracas people are crying out for help that has not yet arrived,” he shared. “There, too, are destroyed houses, dead, and wounded survivors.”

He and other believers are in direct contact with churches and Christians in the disaster zone in La Guaira state, as well as with people working in shelters in Caracas, another area severely affected by the earthquakes. They’ve already sent medicine, safety equipment, and food, especially for those now living in shelters. But what they have been able to do so far is very limited.

Keys for Kids Ministries is raising $24,000 to reach two underserved towns with non-perishable food, food to prepare, drinking water, and medicine. They’re also hoping to reach one shelter near Caracas with food, water, medicine, and spiritual care.

While the physical needs are urgent, this pastor also sees a spiritual opportunity. As the Holy Spirit opens doors, he hopes believers will be able to offer counseling, prayer, encouragement, and the comfort of God’s Word. In some communities, they may also be able to hold evening services and preach the Gospel to people who are grieving, frightened, and asking deep questions. Keys for Kids Ministries will provide Keys for Kids and Unlocked devotional stories specifically written for disaster situations—resources that will help kids, teens, and families process fear, loss, and suffering through the truth of God’s Word.

At Keys for Kids Ministries, we’re excited to get involved in this project. We spent many days praying over how we could maximize our impact. While large humanitarian aid organizations are helping suburban areas of the earthquake zone, we’ll be helping at least two rural areas forgotten by the relief agencies.

Please pray for the people of Venezuela. Pray for grieving families, the injured, displaced children, overwhelmed churches, and those still waiting for help. Pray that food, water, medicine, and shelter will reach those who need it most.

And pray that, in the middle of this tragedy, many will hear the Gospel and find true hope in Jesus Christ.

Please give generously. Your gift of $250, $500, $1,000, or more can literally be the difference between life and death for the victims on the ground.