Catholic aid organization assists 40,000 earthquake survivors

A Catholic aid organization has helped 40,000 survivors of last month's devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to deliver food, water, medicine, and other emergency aid across some of the country's hardest-hit communities.

Caritas Venezuela reported in its first bulletin, “Tras el temblor, el amor” or “After the Tremor, Love," that it received 14,700 tons of humanitarian aid during June 25-July 6 relief efforts, according to Vatican News. Nearly 9,000 tons have already been distributed, with the remainder reserved for the next phase of the relief operation. 

The relief efforts follow the deadly June 24 magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, which are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, as Zeale News previously reported.

The organization said its 3,360 registered volunteers have been the "heart" of the emergency response, with support from Caritas teams in Puerto Rico and Chile, as well as specialists from across the international Caritas network, the outlet reported. 

>> US, Catholic Church expand relief efforts as Venezuela earthquake death toll climbs <<

More than 73,000 units of medical supplies have been distributed through 26 collection centers in Greater Caracas and La Guaira, along with thousands of hygiene and emergency relief kits and 730,000 food rations.

Vatican News said Caritas activated its diocesan and parish network within hours of the June 24 earthquakes, focusing relief efforts in La Guaira, the Capital District of Caracas, and several regions in central and western Venezuela.

According to Vatican News, Caritas Italiana launched an emergency fundraising campaign, while the Italian Bishops' Conference committed an initial €500,000 ($571,122) to support relief efforts.

The outlet said the delivered aid represents only the initial emergency response, with recovery and reconstruction still ahead.

>> Trump administration continues earthquake aid to Venezuela <<