The people of Venezuela continue to suffer in the aftermath of two devastating earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes that affected Venezuela on June 24, 2026. There have been ongoing efforts to search for survivors, address the casualties, assess the damages and destruction of thousands of buildings, and provide humanitarian response. This destructive natural catastrophe adds more injury to a country that had been suffering already for many years with several other challenges, including internal issues such as widespread violence, violations of human rights, and political struggles related to the country’s electoral processes as well as external factors such as a growing migration of nearly 8 million Venezuelans who tried to escape this situation and seek exile in other countries across the Americas. Moreover, the 28 million people who remained in Venezuela suffered the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States upon the country, a military invasion that resulted in the imprisonment of the Venezuelan President in blatant disrespect for international law, continuing military strikes against civilian vessels which were allegedly involved in “narco-terrorism,” and the control of Venezuela’s oil exports through American oil companies.
Despite these compounded crises and their cumulative effects, the people of Venezuela are resilient, and Methodist leaders from around the world have expressed their solidarity and support to communities in Venezuela. These expressions have included prayers, statements, humanitarian help, monetary contributions, and many other forms of solidarity. Among the organizations actively involved in this response, there have been immediate actions by the Latin American Council of Methodist Churches (CIEMAL), the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church (UMC), the Methodist Church in Britain (MCB), the World Methodist Council (WMC), and especially the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
In the educational field, the Board of Directors of the Latin American Association of Methodist Institutions of Education (ALAIME) issued a Letter of Solidarity addressed to Bishop Thoby Ramírez in Venezuela and the Council of Methodist Churches in Venezuela (CIEMVE), which has mobilized its congregations and activated its Solidarity Ministry, so that temples can be used as safe spaces and centers for prayer, emotional support, and the collection of essential supplies (water, non-perishable food, and medicines). The International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities joins ALAIME and the other institutions, churches, and organizations that are now responding to cries for help issued by the people of Venezuela.
Contributions to the humanitarian response can be given through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). In the United Kingdom, the Disasters Emergency Committee that brings together Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, and Welsh Churches is also receiving donations.