Church Responds to Flood in Venezuela

Storm-caused floods and mudslides in northern Venezuela during December 1999 killed an estimated 30,000 people, including at least one Church member. The flooding destroyed or severely damaged the homes of about 50 members. One Church meetinghouse was flooded, and three meetinghouses were used as shelters.

The Church’s Humanitarian Services responded to what may have been Venezuela’s worst natural disaster of the 20th century by sending 225,000 pounds of food, hygiene kits, and medical supplies via truck and plane. A second shipment of 200,000 pounds of food, clothing, shoes, and quilts was sent to Venezuela via rail and boat.

Volunteers from two Salt Lake City stakes pack food boxes for Venezuelan flood victims. (Photo by Rudy Zamora, Deseret News.)