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On Wednesday, June 24, 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude twin earthquakes devastated Venezuela within a minute of each other. The death toll in Caracas, the country’s capital, and surrounding areas has risen to around 1,400 people with tens of thousands still missing.
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Locally and nationally, groups are rallying to provide support in the crucial hours following the historic natural disaster. The earthquakes are the most significant in over a century, Science.com reported.
A Cary-based church, Iglesia Cristiana de Cary, has partnered with nonprofit organizations in Venezuela to collect emergency supplies for the country. Enlace Latino NC reported that the Venezuelan population in the state was around 10,000 in 2022.
“We’re collecting all the first-aid needed items as well as batteries and things of that nature,” Pastor Eliezer Hernandez told ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner. “Also, we’re sending lots of canned food and water.”
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The church is accepting donations throughout the week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Cary location (555 SW Maynard Road).
Nash county Sheriff’s Deputy Jack Thorpe, K-9 Joey and handler Athena are deploying to Venezuela to aid humanitarian efforts and emergency response efforts, the department posted to Facebook. The team will work with Canadian counterparts for search and rescue action.
Many national and international organizations are accepting donations for on-the-ground assistance. The instability adds to an already deep crisis of economic stagnation and limited public services in the region.
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This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 4:42 PM.