The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is mobilizing humanitarian aid following a pair of devastating earthquakes that struck in Venezuela on Wednesday evening.
“We are deeply saddened by the recent earthquake that has affected Venezuela, causing moments of uncertainty and concern for many people and families,” the church’s Caribbean Area Presidency wrote in a statement published Thursday morning.
The pair of powerful quakes struck within 39 seconds of each other in northern Venezuela with magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5.
As of Monday morning, the death toll has risen to 1,450 people and is expected to continue rising, according to The New York Times. More than 3,000 people have been reported as injured, and approximately 12,000 others were displaced by the earthquakes.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ humanitarian response has included distributing approximately 5,000 assistance kits, which are expected to aid more than 23,500 people in the affected region.
The kits include food, drinking water, hygiene items and other essential supplies.
Mattresses, blankets and pillows are also being distributed to families temporarily staying in shelters, as part of the church’s first phase of assistance, according to a church press release published Monday.
The church’s humanitarian response was coordinated in conjunction with humanitarian organizations and government authorities. It “aims to assess the most urgent needs and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most quickly,” the church’s press release states.
The church is also preparing other projects to support families who have lost their belongings and is committed to helping people in the affected region throughout their recovery.
“We express our sincere support, solidarity and prayers for all those who have been affected,” the church’s Caribbean Area Presidency wrote in its Thursday statement.
International rescue teams have been mobilizing aid to help in recovery efforts. Read more about the earthquakes’ regional impact and the international aid Venezuela has been receiving here.
