Venezuela Appeal Update - May 2020
Praying for Venezuela
Prayer is a crucial element of everything we do at The Outreach Foundation. As you join us in intercessory prayer, please consider this information about the difficult situation that the people of Venezuela are facing:
1. Food Prices: Since the quarantine began, food prices have increased by 153%. A chicken or a carton of eggs is $5.00. Because most monthly salaries are around $4.00, there are serious problems of food insecurity in impoverished neighborhoods. Please pray for the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan families suffering from food insecurity, and for pastoral families who are also affected.
2. Public Health: The Venezuelan Academy of Physical, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences published a behavioral study of COVID-19. Based on its mathematical and statistical projections, it foresees two scenarios. First, a probable peak of more than 1,000 new cases every day after the first week of September 2020. Second, a probable increase in the contagion rate to 4,000 cases per day in the first week of June. Many reports point to a severe lack of supplies and resources, and families face the challenge of not being able to afford the cost of medicines. Please pray for the patients in Venezuelan hospitals and for the doctors and nurses who are taking care of them, risking their health, often without enough resources.
3. Gasoline Shortages: Gas costs six dollars per gallon and shortages have increased. Very few gas stations are operating. People stand in line two to three days to buy the limit of three gallons per car. There are anti-riot teams from the National Guard at gas stations and protests throughout the country are frequent due to the lack of gasoline. The severe shortage of gas also affects the distribution of food. Please pray. It is challenging to mobilize pastors and volunteers, transport the sick to hospitals, and supply gas for the trucks that carry food from agricultural areas to cities.
4. Electricity: The largest neighborhood in Caracas, which includes a hospital, recently had no power for over 24 hours. In the city of Maracaibo, electricity is rationed 12 hours per day, and in Barquisimeto, it is 6 hours a day. Please pray for the churches and pastors in rural and remote towns that minister under the intense tropical heat of Venezuela with limited electricity.
5. Human Rights: Six people were arrested for protests in the Apure state two weeks ago. At least seven people were beaten with no regard for their human rights. Please pray that the human rights of Venezuelans and the police will be respected. We also request prayer for the churches and pastors, because they can be agents of peace, transformation, and reconciliation.
6. International Relations: Ecumenical organizations have denounced a failed attempt to overthrow the government. The government recently cut public services in a sector of Caracas where the diplomatic residences of the ambassadors of France, the United States, Austria, and South Africa are located. After a press conference and protest by the French ambassador, the government restored public services. There are also calls to cease the international economic blockade that is significantly affecting many of the most vulnerable people. Please pray for peace in Venezuela.
Amid these realities, the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela (IPV, its initials in Spanish) carries out its ministry in more than 20 communities throughout the country. With help from individuals and congregations, Outreach was able to come alongside those efforts by making generous financial contributions. Dr. Loida Varela, who serves as the financial secretary for the Synod of the IPV, stated: “We thank God for this gift received from The Outreach Foundation. May God bless each one of the donors. This offering comes during a critical moment for our country and the world, but we know that God is accompanying us, walking with us on this path.”
Sincerely,
Juan Sarmiento
Associate Director
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking $20,000 for the Venezuela Appeal. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.