(ANS – Caracas) – The twin, violent earthquakes that struck Venezuela on the afternoon of 24 June 2026 have caused such extensive structural damage and loss of life that it is still difficult to fully comprehend and measure the full extent of the disaster. And the further tragedy is that this disaster has struck a country that has already been facing difficult conditions for years, amid prolonged economic and political crises and other local emergencies. Whilst they too are assessing the damage suffered, the Salesians and other groups of the Salesian Family present in the country are already working to help those most in need, supported by international Salesian solidarity
The current situation
The latest death toll from the devastating double earthquake – which struck in particular the communities in Caracas and the states of Aragua, Carabobo, Falcón, La Guaira, Miranda and the surrounding areas – stands at at least 235 dead, 4,300 injured and nearly 50,000 missing. In the worst-affected regions, dozens of buildings have collapsed, including homes, public infrastructure and essential services, leaving local communities traumatised and fearful of further aftershocks.
From within the affected areas, the Salesians describe a situation of great uncertainty. “The earthquakes were felt strongly in the capital and neighbouring states. Many buildings have collapsed, and what we will have to face in the coming days and weeks will be very difficult,” they explain.
“We are concerned about the situation of the Venezuelan people: many people are injured, and health centres have collapsed. We do not know exactly how many deaths there will be, nor the full extent of the tragedy we have experienced so far, because it was quite severe,” adds the Provincial, Fr Jorge Ghazal.
A message from the Salesians of Venezuela
Through social media, the Salesians of Venezuela have shared a message to offer comfort to the population afflicted by such a tragedy and to lead and coordinate the humanitarian response:
Amidst the grief we are experiencing today, we wish to be present with hearts full of faith, solidarity and hope. We know that many have suffered material losses, and some have experienced the painful loss of loved ones. We stand with each and every one of you in deep respect and solidarity, feeling every tear and every wound as our own.
In this time of trial, the words of Jesus ring out powerfully: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me’ (Jn 14:1). He invites us not to be afraid, to trust even when the path seems dark, and to support one another with generosity and concrete love.
As the Don Bosco family, we are called to be signs of living hope, especially for young people. Today more than ever, we need courageous hearts, capable of reaching out, of sharing whatever little or much we have, and of rebuilding not only structures, but dreams, dignity and the future.
Christian hope is neither naïve nor passive; it is a force that drives us to rise again, to rebuild together, to sow life where there was pain. We firmly believe that, with God’s help and everyone’s solidarity, we will be able to build a tomorrow in which the new generations can grow in faith, joy and opportunity.
To those who are suffering, we say: you are not alone. We walk with you. We pray for you. And we are committed to continuing to be a community that embraces, accompanies and lifts you up.
May Mary Help of Christians cover us with her mantle, and may Don Bosco inspire us to move forward with courage, trust and a heart ever ready to love.
Y para hacer concretas las palabras del mensaje, desde la Inspectoría “San Lucas” de Venezuela (VEN) se ha lanzado una primera convocatoria para coordinar la acción de emergencia:
Brothers, our people in Venezuela need our help following the earthquake. As a Salesian community, let us respond with a generous heart: through prayer, helping hands and resources for those who have lost so much. Every gesture counts: share, donate, offer your time at your nearest Salesian house. Together we can comfort and protect our young people and begin to rebuild.
“Let us give ourselves to young people, with heart, soul and life” (St John Bosco)
The appeal is accompanied by the necessary details for providing financial support to the province’s Planning and Development Office and the other institutions responsible for carrying out emergency aid and relief initiatives; as well as references to the first distribution centres set up by the Salesians:
At the Don Bosco House in Valencia;
At the ‘Mary Help of Christians’ parish in Boleita, Caracas;
Don Bosco Temple in Altamira, also in Caracas.
Calls for solidarity from Salesians around the world
The Salesians have been in Venezuela since 1894 and number around 200 religious working in some thirty projects: schools, parishes, centres for vocational formation and missions amongst the indigenous communities of the Amazon. They are a point of reference for the local population, who have in fact already begun to turn to them.
To show solidarity with the Salesian Family in Venezuela, the Salesian Mission Offices Missioni Don Bosco in Turin and Misiones Salesianas in Madrid have already launched two separate campaigns.
For further information, visit the websites: https://www.missionidonbosco.org e https://misionessalesianas.org/
