Following the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela that claimed thousands of lives and left countless families homeless the Christian community is rushing vital supplies to help the survivors.
Charities like Convoy of Hope are meeting critical needs along with many churches across the country. Pastor Luis Ascanio with El Camino Church highlights how they are transitioning from a short to medium term response.
VIDEO SCRIPT
On June 24, a pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, destroying hundreds of buildings, leaving thousands dead, missing or injured and forcing families from their homes as aftershocks continued.
Many Christian charities have responded including Missouri-based Convoy of Hope. They are providing clean drinking water, shelf-stable food and hot meals from mobile kitchens positioned in affected areas.
And Venezuelan churches are collecting donated relief supplies for the thousands of displaced people living in parks and streets with nowhere to go.
Pastor Luis Ascanio is with El Camino Church.
At first, everyone thought we should focus on providing food and hydration. We began by giving water to the disaster victims in the Chacao municipality area, but today, several days after this earthquake, the need now has more to do with the quality of the place where people are being sheltered: sleeping mats, sheets, blankets, medicine, and personal hygiene items such as toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and creams. Basically those things, and not food, because there is a very large flow of food. This is not a short-term situation, but a medium-term one. We are preparing for how to address the impact this has produced over the medium term, setting aside a reserve for medium-term food needs.
Pastor Ascanio is urging the Christian community around the world to stand with them in prayer as they seek to provide a long-term response to the earthquake survivors.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Pastor Luis Ascanio – El Camino Church
Recording Location
Venezuela
Organization featured in this Story
Convoy of Hope – www.convoyofhope.org
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