Serving Earthquake Survivors in Venezuela

Our Emergency Field Hospital opened in La Guaira, Venezuela, on June 30, within one week of two back-to-back quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 that struck the South American country. The second quake was the strongest to hit the area in over a century. These tremblors brought structures crumbling to the ground, tragically killing thousands and injuring and displacing many more.

Samaritan's Purse is treating scores of patients each day who suffer from earthquake- and infection-related injuries, including performing surgeries. The facility features two operating rooms, a critical care unit, a pharmacy, and a laboratory.

Juan is one of the many who've been grateful for the care our teams provided. After falling five floors as his apartment building crumbled, he lay trapped under debris for two days.

Even when he was finally rescued and rushed to the local hospital for care, that facility was too overrun with other patients to be able see him.

“I'm very happy for all the help that Samaritan's Purse gave to me. You are helping all my Venezuelan brothers here, and I love you.”

When he got to our Emergency Field Hospital, our doctors and nurses stitched up the cuts on his legs, prayed with him, and shared the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Eternal matters like life and death were fresh on his mind as he grieved the loss of his soon-to-be 100-year-old father in the rubble.

“I'm very happy for all the help that Samaritan's Purse gave to me,” Juan said. “You are helping all my Venezuelan brothers here, and I love you.”

Our Disaster Assistance Response Team of well over 100 people is staffing and operating the hospital, while also providing temporary shelter and other relief to devastated families.

We are distributing rugged, 125-pound tents that can withstand the elements and provide protection for a family who has lost their home. We're also giving survivors solar lights complete with a cell phone charger as well as hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and blankets to provide necessities and much needed comfort.

Also, to meet the critical need for drinking water, we are repurposing seawater through desalination systems. Thanks to this effort, thirsty residents of La Guaira are finding relief at our clean water points around the city.

“We plan on being there for some time. The need is huge. Multiple hospitals are damaged or overwhelmed, roads have been split wide open, and hundreds of buildings have collapsed. They need our prayers,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. “It's heartbreaking to see the suffering and loss. We love the people of this country, and we want to do all that we can to help in Jesus' Name.”