CARACAS, VENEZUELA
More than 70,000 people were impacted when torrential rains along the northern region of Venezuela triggered widespread flooding and landslides the first week of December. The disaster, which left 31 dead and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes, extended across 12 states, including the metropolitan regions of Caracas and Maracaibo, with governmental emergency declarations in effect for the states of Falcón, Vargas, Miranda and the Capital District.
At least 27 Latter-day Saint families from four stakes and two districts were displaced by flooding, according to a Church welfare report. There are no reported deaths or injuries to members and all missionaries are safe, according to the report.
Seven meetinghouses have sustained damages from floods and rains.
At the request of the local government, the Church opened the Ocumare del Tuy meetinghouse, outside of Caracas, to approximately 300 community residents.
The Church is working to provide food, water, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies to Church members and community residents who have been displaced.
