Project No. 35/2026 – Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake in Venezuela

Project No. 35/2026 –
Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake
in Venezuela

The Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto in Venezuela, of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, has proposed Project No. 35/2026 entitled: “Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake in Venezuela,” launched to support immediate relief efforts for the population affected by the violent earthquake that struck the country on June 24, 2026.

On that day, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck Venezuela less than one minute apart, causing widespread devastation across many regions of the country. The earthquakes resulted in deaths and injuries, destroyed homes, infrastructure, and left thousands of families in an extremely vulnerable situation. The scale of the damage prompted national authorities to declare a state of emergency. Many communities still lack essential services and continue to face severe hardship.
The friars of the Custody, who serve the communities of Lídice (Caracas) and Guanare (State of Portuguesa), were fortunately unharmed and immediately opened their friaries available to people in need. From the very first hours of the emergency, they have been providing hot meals, temporary shelter, and a safe place to spend the night, committing themselves to assisting the most vulnerable.
The Custos, Friar Franklin DURÁN ZAMBRANO, wrote: “It is in moments like these, when the very ground seems to be shifting beneath our feet, that the Church is called to be a presence, a source of consolation, and a force for concrete action alongside those who suffer.”
At this stage, the friars have made children and older people their highest priority, striving to provide them with assistance and essential supplies. The items most urgently needed are non-perishable food, powdered milk for children, infant formula, nutritional supplements, diapers for children and adults, blankets, sheets, sleeping mats, clothing in good condition, baby bottles, and personal hygiene products. Drinking water and over-the-counter medications, such as painkillers, antiseptics, and gastric protectors, are also needed.
The emergency has been further exacerbated by the lack of electricity in many affected areas. For this reason, the friars are also requesting funds to purchase an electric generator, which is essential for preparing food, sterilizing supplies for children, preserving essential goods, and recharging devices needed by those being sheltered.
Since the situation is still evolving, this project does not specify a fixed funding amount. The friars will use all contributions exclusively for emergency relief efforts and the purchase of basic necessities, which will enable them to respond promptly to the immediate needs of those affected by the earthquake.
The project will support the Conventual Franciscans as they continue serving communities devastated by this disaster, enabling them to provide material assistance, shelter, and support to those who have lost their homes, their possessions, or the basic resources needed for daily life.

Project Information

• Conventual Franciscan Jurisdiction: Provincial Custody of Our Lady of Coromoto

• Country: Venezuela
• Location: Lídice (Caracas) and Guanare (State of Portuguesa)
• Type of Project: Humanitarian emergency
• Date of Proposal: 2026
• Direct Project Coordinator:
  • Friar Franklin DURÁN ZAMBRANO
  • Email: custodiavenezuela@gmail.com
• Humanitarian Fund: Fundraising campaign now open
• Use of Contributions: Each contribution will be used exclusively for emergency relief efforts, the purchase of basic necessities, and to support the aid activities carried out by the friars on behalf of the population affected by the earthquake.

How to Support the Project

You can support Project No. 35/2026 – “Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake in Venezuela” by making a financial contribution, indicating the project number and title in the payment description.

• Account Holder: CURIA GENERALIZIA DEI FRATI MINORI CONVENTUALI
• Bank: UniCredit S.p.A.
• IBAN: IT66B0200805074000005259514
• BIC / SWIFT: UNCRITM1Y82
• Payment Description: Project No. 35/2026 – “Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake in Venezuela”

Projects Office

Donation Information

These bank details are provided exclusively to facilitate voluntary contributions in support of projects promoted by the Order of Friars Minor Conventual.
The IBAN number is provided solely for the purpose of making payments and does not authorize withdrawals or access to the account in any way.
Please specify the number and title of the project you are supporting in the payment description, so that contributions can be allocated correctly and resources managed transparently.
Every donation is welcomed as a sign of participation and shared responsibility in the mission of the Order; any use of the bank details outside of official channels cannot be attributed to the Order itself.

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Update on Activities and Expense Report

Thanks to the Friars of the Order
Dear Brothers, Peace and All Good!
We are writing to express our most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all the friars of the Order for the generous financial aid you have provided to help us address this emergency.
Thanks to your constant support and solidarity, we have been able to help many more people who are in genuine need during this difficult time. Seeing fraternal charity translated into concrete service for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters has given us comfort and strength.
We firmly believe that—by being faithful to the charism of our father St. Francis—through every meal distributed, every instance of medical assistance provided, and our very presence in the mission territory, we are answering the call to rebuild the Church and to actively support the People of God in times of adversity.
We continue to count on your prayers and fraternal support as we continue our work in this area. May the Lord abundantly multiply every one of your acts of generosity.

Fraternally,
Friar Franklin DURÁN

Funds Received and Start of Relief Efforts
On July 10, 2026, we received a grant of €65,660.00 for Project No. 35/2026 – Humanitarian Emergency Following the Earthquake in Venezuela. Relief efforts began on July 16, 2026.

Local Presence and Mission Territory
Thanks to the financial aid received to address the emergency caused by the earthquake in Venezuela, we have launched a comprehensive relief effort in La Guaira, in the area affected by the earthquake.
The friars are on the ground, where they coordinate relief efforts and provide pastoral and human support, as well as logistical assistance, to the affected families.
An aid center has been set up alongside a mission camp, which serves as an operational base to welcome and support those affected and to coordinate the aid intended for them.

Purchase of a Vehicle for Transporting Aid
The mission camp is located in La Guaira, the epicenter of the earthquake. All activities are coordinated from here: meal preparation, collecting medicines, organizing visits, food distribution, and providing medical and pharmaceutical assistance.
To reach the most vulnerable and needy people, we must travel distances of about forty kilometers [twenty-five miles], sometimes as far as Caracas and other cities. To make these trips and transport purchased goods or goods received as donations—such as clothing—we needed a vehicle with sufficient capacity.
We therefore purchased a minivan, which is proving to be perfectly suited to the needs of our mission.

Emergency Power Supply System
An emergency power supply system was purchased to address the severe power shortages in the area.
In the La Guaira area where the friars are located, electricity is available for only a few hours a day. We therefore needed to preserve the food products we were distributing and those we were storing on site.
The system uses an inverter and batteries that are recharged from the power grid during the few hours when it is available. The batteries then supply power during the outages.

Health Care and Distribution of Essential Goods
In collaboration with a group of volunteer doctors, specialized medical care days are being organized at the mission camp to assess the condition of those affected and provide necessary treatment.
The funds received have also financed the purchase and direct distribution of essential goods, ensuring the delivery of basic food items and the medicines requested by the people being assisted.

Difficulties Encountered
During the mission, difficulties arose, and military personnel attempted to obstruct our efforts. Thanks to the intervention of the mission team, however, these challenges were overcome without seriously disrupting the humanitarian relief efforts.

Statement of Expenses Incurred

Financial Status of the Project
The project has received €65,660.00 in funding. Total expenses incurred to date amount to €55,913.98. The remaining balance of €9,746.02 is available to continue the project’s planned activities.
The project is still ongoing and will remain open until the team completes its final report on the activities carried out and the expenses incurred.

Continuation of Activities and Allocation of Future Funding
To ensure the continuity and expansion of humanitarian aid, future funding will be allocated to three priority areas .
The first priority is to maintain medical and food assistance. We aim to ensure a steady flow of essential food items and medicines to people affected by the emergency.
The second priority is to establish a network of lay volunteers. By coordinating and training lay members of the community, we intend to create a solid and permanent assistance network, improving the distribution of resources and on-the-ground support.
The third priority is to strengthen the support team by involving more volunteers and qualified personnel in the activities of the mission camp. This will increase our response capacity and enable us to reach a larger number of people in need of assistance.

Projects Office

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