Sisters to reopen doors to learning after Venezuela’s earthquakes

By Sr. Christine Masivo, CPS

Humanitarian organizations continue to respond to the urgent needs of the affected people in Venezuela after the devastating earthquake that struck the country one month ago. The Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (MHSFN), in collaboration with Camillian Disaster Service (CADIS) International, together with the Camillians of the Province of Brazil and CADIS Brazil, are coordinating emergency relief while leading a fundraising campaign to provide essential assistance to vulnerable families.

Venezuela earthquake

Education key to recovery efforts

Alongside emergency interventions, CADIS has partnered with the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (MHSFN) as they seek to restore access to education as a key item it is an important step in the community recovery. The earthquake damaged more than 400 school buildings, thus disrupting learning for thousands of children already living in difficult socio-economic conditions.

Religious nuns’ commitment to learning

Despite the challenges, the sisters are preparing to reopen their school that was partially damaged in Caracas this September while the efforts of restoration continue to be done in the northwest and center of the country. The commitment of the sisters ensures that education remains accessible to children affected by the disaster.

According to Catholic news service Agenzia Fides, the sisters plan to operate the schools on a double-shift schedule, with morning hours catering to approximately 400 – 600 learners who are enrolled in the school while afternoon caters to the children whose schools in the neighboring communities were destroyed by the earthquake.

This will allow the sisters to extend educational opportunities without waiting for the reconstruction to be completed to ensure that more children continue with their studies.  

Relief amid challenges

Operations to help earthquake victims continue under demanding conditions. Caracas Airport at the moment serves as an emergency operations hub, most humanitarian aid is being redirected through Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia, creating logistical challenges for relief agencies.

According to official figures as reported by the Catholic news service, Agenzia Fides, after the earthquake struck northwestern and central Venezuela on 24 June 2026, it claimed at least 5,346 lives and injured 16,740 people. More than 16, 300 lost their homes completely. While others have been left with homes declared uninhabitable. Over 23,000 people remain in temporary shelters, and the United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 people may still be missing beneath the rubble.

Humanitarian needs are still ongoing together with the efforts of the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (MHSFN) that demonstrate how faith-based organizations continue to contribute to the recovery of the disaster by ensuring that education remains available to children whose lives have been disrupted by the disaster.

The sisters’ collaboration with CADIS International reflects a practical, sustainable commitment to supporting communities as they rebuild.