Relief efforts in Venezuela are ongoing in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of Wednesday, July 24th. The damage has been catastrophic, with the tragic loss of hundreds of lives as well as the destruction of homes and livelihoods across the city.
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC has been sending regular updates from Caracas, where he is working alongside Fr John Jennings MSC and a whole team of volunteers and relief workers to provide crucial support to those impacted by the earthquakes. Most recently, Br Deiby sent photos and videos from the shelters and support centres that have been helping thousands of people.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have also been working closely with Caritas Venezuela, providing funding to help with the ongoing relief aid. In a message to Irish Provincial Superior Fr Joe McGee MSC, Monsignor José Luis Azuaje Ayala, Archbishop of Maracaibo and Head of Caritas Venezuela, sends his gratitude to the Irish Province of the MSC for the generous support of our benefactors here.
Monsignor José Luis Azuaje Ayala, Archbishop of Maracaibo and Head of Caritas Venezuela (Image via www.caritasvenezuela.org)
Dear Fr Joe, warm greetings from Maracaibo.
I wish to express my gratitude on behalf of the people of Maracaibo, who are trying to reach out to the victims of our recent earthquakes. We are very grateful to the Irish Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and to the good people in Ireland, your benefactors, who have provided badly needed funds to help with our relief effort.
We are in full emergency mode at this time. We will keep in touch and let you know later how we have put your funds to good use.
Once again, I thank you most sincerely for the generosity of the Missionaries of the Sacred and their benefactors. May God reward you, and please continue to pray for the people of Venezuela.