Venezuela Earthquake

The Methodist Christian Community of Venezuela responds to devastating earthquakes

Churches across Britain are being invited to pray and stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck the country on 24 June 2026.

The quakes, which hit northern Venezuela within just 40 seconds of each other, are among the strongest seismic events to affect the country in more than a century. The epicentre was near the Caribbean coast, around the San Felipe and Yumare area, but the impact was felt widely, including in the capital city, Caracas. Significant damage has been reported, with widespread building collapses and severe disruption to infrastructure.

Updated reports from the Venezuelan government indicate that at least 589 people have died, with around 3,000 people injured, though officials have warned that the toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency, and dozens of aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes.

Coastal areas, particularly La Guaira, have sustained extensive damage, and many communities remain without reliable access to power, transport or communications. Emergency measures, including the provision of free satellite internet access, have been introduced to support communication across the country.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with both local communities and international teams working urgently to locate survivors. While the government has deployed heavy machinery and emergency responders to some of the worst-affected areas, other communities are still waiting for assistance. In the meantime, local people have shown remarkable courage and solidarity—digging through rubble with their hands, rocks and mobile phone torches in an effort to save those trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

Support is also arriving from beyond Venezuela’s borders. Rescue teams from countries including Mexico, Chile, El Salvador and the United States began arriving during the morning of 26 June, with further assistance expected from Europe. However, the response is challenged by a shortage of emergency workers within Venezuela itself, following years of migration that have seen many leave the country in search of stability and opportunity.

Amid the devastation, the Methodist Christian Community of Venezuela is seeking to respond with compassion and practical support. Although the Church does not have congregations located directly in the affected areas, it is mobilising a small team to travel to the disaster zone as quickly as possible. The team will include trained paramedics offering urgent medical care, alongside church leadership who will assess needs and coordinate support on the ground. Revd Glenn Mendoza, treasurer of the church, shares that “ We continue to remain in prayer. There are hundreds of fatalities and thousands injured or missing. There are families who no longer have a home. International help has been arriving since the early hours of the morning. As Venezuelans we are united in prayer, gathering aid including medicine, clothing, food and water and volunteering to help amidst this tragedy”.

Where possible, this work will be undertaken in partnership with other Methodist churches, Christian denominations and humanitarian organisations already active in the affected regions.

Prayer for the people of Venezuela

Though the fig tree does not blossom
    and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails
    and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold
    and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
    I will exult in the God of my salvation.
God, the LORD, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer
    and makes me tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17–19 (NRSVUE)

We come boldly before your throne of grace to ask for your mercy and love, oh Lord, thank you for your mercy upon the beautiful nation of Venezuela

We pray for all of those who have fallen victim to this terrible earthquake. We pray that you comfort them, that you provide for them, that they would know that you are with them, that you never leave them or forsake them.

We pray, Lord, that you would be their strength, that despite the situation they find themselves in, they would draw hope and courage, strength and encouragement from the support they receive from neighbouring countries, from churches, and from their own government within Venezuela.

We pray, Lord, that those who have survived the earthquake would be sustained by your grace, that they would receive provision, comfort, and peace, and that they would continue to hold on to hope in the midst of such difficulty and loss.

We pray that any people who are waiting to be rescued would be sustained and that your Holy Spirit would guide the rescue workers to their location.

We pray for the Methodist Christian Community in Venezuela. We pray that you would give them wisdom to respond in the most effective way possible to this tragedy, sharing the love and hope of Christ Jesus with affected communities.

In Christ’s name we pray.

Amen.