When the deadliest earthquake in 126 years struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, thousands of families fled to their parish churches for shelter. But are those buildings safe? Our team of architects and engineers is racing to assess 80 historic churches across the most devastated regions, identifying which are structurally sound and which urgently need repair. They are hubs where humanitarian aid is distributed, families find shelter, and individuals seek solace.
Following Venezuela's devastating June 24, 2026 twin earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5 magnitude), thousands are seeking refuge. Caritas Venezuela confirms that parish churches are the first place people turn to. However, the frightening reality is that nobody knows if these centuries-old colonial buildings are safe. Built long before modern seismic codes, they risk collapse. We must urgently assess these vital spaces so families can safely receive aid and shelter.
We are deploying expert teams-architects, engineers, and students-to assess churches in hard-hit areas using a three-layer evaluation: Structural Safety: Classifies buildings as safe, restricted, or compromised to immediately protect sheltering families. Architectural Documentation: Creates digital blueprints to permanently preserve structural knowledge. Land Survey: Documents boundaries to establish the legal and technical foundation for future reconstruction.
This project protects thousands of Venezuelans by securing historic churches that serve as vital community hubs-places where families find emergency shelter, aid is distributed, and individuals seek solace. At full funding, we will assess 80 of these centuries-old structures, creating a permanent digital archive of heritage at risk. We will also train 30-40 local architecture students to rebuild, and share precise data with global agencies to direct reconstruction aid efficiently.
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