The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides $2.8 million in relief projects to assist earthquake victims in Venezuela
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has committed $2.8 million in relief projects to support victims of the recent magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes in Venezuela. Working in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Project HOPE, and Catholic Relief Services, the Church is providing essential supplies including 5,000 food kits, temporary shelters, and water purification systems. In coordination with Project HOPE, the Church's funding will repair seven health facilities and provide medical supplies to over 100,000 individuals. Meanwhile, efforts with Catholic Relief Services include providing hygiene kits and food baskets for over 1,000 families. Elder Juan F. Zorrilla and Elder Pedro Hernández have led specific efforts to deliver medicine and surgical supplies to five public hospitals in the capital. While the Church provides significant aid, the Venezuelan government faces a substantial recovery cost estimated by the World Bank at $20 billion to $50 billion. The administration announced that it would ease some sanctions to facilitate the flow of assistance, while the United States committed $300 million in financial aid.