UCC issues emergency appeal following Venezuela earthquakes

Following a series of devastating earthquakes that ravaged the country of Venezuela, leaving more than 2,500 people dead and over 50 thousand unaccounted for, the United Church of Christ has issued an emergency appeal to help with aid and recovery efforts.

According to reports from CNN, the reported 2,500 death toll strikes both native Venezuelans and outside observers as remarkably low. One forensic pathologist, who asked to remain anonymous due to her fear of retaliation, told CNN she believes the government death toll to be a vast undercount, amounting to “not even a third of what is actually there.”

“Immediate impacts include loss of shelter, infrastructure, disruption of basic services, and psychosocial distress. Long-term impacts are expected to include prolonged displacement and loss of livelihoods,” the appeal reads.

David Giron, Global Relations Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, reports that Venezuelan aid workers, rescue teams, and citizenry have mobilized immediately, carrying relief supplies and searching for those caught under the rubble and debris. The search and rescue effort has been impeded by significant aftershocks, including a 4.6 magnitude aftershock on June 29, 2026, off the northern coast.

You can access the full appeal and donate to aid in recovery efforts HERE.

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