On the evening of June 24, 2026 (local time), Venezuela experienced its strongest earthquake in over a century. The epicenter was located near Morón, a coastal town near the capital of Caracas. Within a brief span of 39 seconds, the north-central region was hit by consecutive powerful quakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, followed by over 400 aftershocks. Currently, it has been confirmed that more than 3,300 people have died and over 16,000 are injured. Search and rescue operations are still racing against time.
The powerful earthquakes caused countless houses to collapse, and the heavily hit La Guaira State saw vast stretches of streets flattened. Local hospitals, electricity, water, and gas supplies were completely disrupted. Survivors not only have to face the life-and-death trauma of losing loved ones and the psychological distress of seeing their homes destroyed, but they also face a bleak future with absolutely nothing left.
Children are especially vulnerable in this disaster. In an instant, they lost their safe shelter, leaving them exposed to aftershocks and dangerous ruins, or even separated from their families. This has caused immense trauma to their young minds.
Peter Gape, National Director of World Vision Colombia and Venezuela, stated: "The spirit of solidarity is making a real difference in Venezuela. Thanks to the efforts of World Vision teams, volunteers, churches, and partners, tens of thousands of affected people have already received assistance. However, the scale of this crisis is simply too massive, and we need continued support from all sectors. We will remain at our posts to ensure that every child and family receives the support they need, sees hope, and can rebuild their lives with dignity."
World Vision's Emergency Response Operations
World Vision immediately launched a comprehensive emergency response following the earthquake. Despite difficult conditions—including blocked roads and highly unstable communications—we are working closely with local churches and partners to go deep into the worst-hit areas to assess the damage. We are distributing emergency food, clean drinking water, and hygiene supplies, while also providing psychological first aid support.
"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." (Ephesians 6:18)
We earnestly ask brothers and sisters to lift up the affected lives and humanitarian relief efforts in your personal prayers, small groups, and church services:
- Pray for the safety and peace of affected children and families: Pray that the Lord will personally protect and watch over the children who are separated from their families in fear, guiding them to be reunited with their loved ones as quickly as possible. Pray that the Lord heals the physical wounds of the survivors and comforts their hearts as they mourn the loss of their homes and families.
- Pray for frontline rescue workers, volunteers, and World Vision staff: Many local staff members have been affected by the disaster themselves. Pray that the Lord grants all frontline workers abundant physical strength, keen wisdom, and steadfast resolve. Pray that the Lord protects logistics and communications so that relief personnel and resources can reach the most vulnerable survivors precisely and swiftly.
- Pray for local pastors, church leaders, and the community of believers: Pray that the Lord strengthens the local churches, allowing them to become beacons of light and sanctuaries for the community amidst this disaster. Pray for the safety of pastors and their families, granting them overflowing grace to shepherd and support the weeping children and families affected by the tragedy.
"So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)
Currently, the greatest challenge is a severe shortage of relief funding. The number of affected people is massive and widespread, and we urgently need to mobilize more resources to expand our relief operations. Vulnerable children and families are in grave danger. We earnestly invite you to remember the pressing needs of the survivors in your prayers, and to help these vulnerable lives pull through this crisis through your donations and care, witnessing Christ's love in the darkness.
Last update: March 2025
On March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, affecting multiple neighboring countries. The number of casualties is still being assessed, and World Vision is closely monitoring the latest developments. Our colleagues in Myanmar, as well as in Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, also felt the earthquake and experienced the impact.
We are deeply concerned about the effects of this earthquake on children and families in the affected areas. World Vision is currently conducting assessments in the disaster-hit regions to better respond to the urgent needs of affected residents. Together with our local partners, we are working to provide assistance to the most vulnerable.
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Let’s earnestly pray for the vulnerable children and families affected by the earthquake:
Last update: December 2024
The overthrow of the Assad regime has led to massive spike in humanitarian need. Hundreds of civilians have been reported killed or injured over the past 2 weeks. The latest bout of suffering follows 14 years of conflict and annual shortages of funding to deal with ongoing enormous needs. There are currently 16.7 million people in need in Syria, that is almost 70% of the total 24.3 million population. While across the region another 12.9 million Syrians - and people hosting them - need humanitarian assistance.
Please pray for the affected and those involved in humanitarian works:
Last update: October 2023
On 7 October 2023, a series of earthquakes shook western Afghanistan, with the largest at 6.3 magnitude. Many houses have collapsed and some remote villages have even been wholly destroyed. As of now, around 2,500 people, most of them reportedly women and children, have died. The hospitals in Herat are overwhelmed, and it is feared that the number of casualties will continue to rise.
Please pray for vulnerable children and families suffering from the earthquake in Afghanistan:
Last update: February 2023
On 6 February 2023, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Turkey, near the Syrian border. So far over 4,000 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands more are injured. Turkey is the largest host country of Syrian refugees in the world, and millions of them live near the epicenter of this earthquake. Having been forced to leave their homes due to a war that has been going on since 2011, these people are now facing yet even more misery and pain, finding themselves at the centre of the world’s attention again for all the wrong reasons.
Please pray for vulnerable children and families suffering from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria:
Last update: June 2022
Due to a mix of the impact of conflict, climate change and an economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a food crisis is spanning across the globe. The war in Ukraine is also bringing profound impacts on world food supply, leaving more people on the brink of famine. More children are made prone to malnutrition, and may even be forced to work as child labour or married off in exchange for dowry. Such children will be permanently impacted physically, mentally and spiritually.
Please pray for the vulnerable children and families who are starving worldwide:
Learn more about the Global Hunger Relief
Last update: March 2022
The situation in Ukraine is increasingly intensifying due to the recent armed conflict, which does not only cause immediate threats to more than 7.5 million children living in Ukraine, but also lead to hundreds of thousands fleeing from Ukraine to neighbouring countries. It is feared that as many as 5 million people could flee the country, causing immediate and long-lasting physical, emotional, and mental harms to children, families, and communities. Meanwhile, the crisis may lead to increased food and fuel prices, which will aggravate the existing food and economic crises and impact other countries, leaving more vulnerable lives at risk.
Please pray for vulnerable children and
families suffering from the conflict in Ukraine:
Last update: April 2021
Since the conflict broke out in Rakhine
State, Myanmar in August 2017, over 860,000 Rohingyas - more
than half of whom are children - are stuck in the world’s largest and most
densely populated refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. They are stateless
and unprotected by international refugee law, enduring poverty, human
trafficking, malnutrition and natural disasters. Due the COVID-19 pandemic, they
now have even less protection as humanitarian activity in the camp has become
limited. Worse still, a massive fire broke out in the camp in March 2021, which
saw several hundred people killed, injured or gone missing, with tens of
thousands of survivors once again losing their shelters and all their belongings. Many Rohingya
refugees have tried different ways to enter neighbouring countries and seek
asylum, but were either rejected or repatriated to Myanmar, leaving their lives
at risk.
Please pray for the Rohingya refugees:
Learn more about the Bangladesh Rohingya Crisis Response
Last update: March 2022
With the fifth wave of COVID-19 hitting the city, grass-roots families have been increasingly affected. As both the demand for anti-epidemic items and the prices of food and basic necessities increase due to shortage of supply, these families, who are already facing economic hardships, are being forced to bear additional burdens. During these difficult days, they desperately need the care and support from churches, and perhaps more importantly, love and hope from God.
Please pray for grass-roots children and families affected by the epidemic:
Learn more about “Share and Care” Scheme
Last update: November 2021
At present, more than half of Afghanistan’s population (over 18 million people) is in need of humanitarian assistance. As a result of a severe drought and food crisis, 2.7 million people are facing starvation, while approximately 1 million children under 5 are acutely malnourished. In winter, snows may hamper the efforts to provide food aid. Furthermore, the country is potentially facing a new wave of COVID-19, which will put immense pressure on a health system that is already on the brink of collapse.
Please remember people who are in desperate need of food aid and healthcare in Afghanistan:
Last update: November 2017
Over 1 billion children experience violence every year globally. Violence threatens their survival and health, robs them of their right to education, and causes short and long-term physical, emotional and social consequences. It is important to address these issues and offer counselling and assistance to the victims, so that they feel safe and have their immediate needs met.
Learn more about It takes a world to end violence against children
Last update: November 2017
Many of the issues of violence, such as child labour, child marriage, child sacrifice, are prohibited by laws which, however, are not always enforced. Each one of us is called to speak out for orphans and the poor.
Learn more about It takes a world to end violence against children
Last update: December 2019
We thank God for the peace and grace we have enjoyed in 2019. We are truly blessed to have been able to not only live a life of peace and abundance but also help others in need.
Learn more about World Vision of Macau Association