Venezuela has suffered the effects of a massive natural disaster and economic and governmental instability. Deadly mudslides killed some 50,000 people along Venezuela’s Caribbean coast in 1999.  Many of the families were left homeless by the disaster and had little resources to rebuild.  Political unrest in the country over the past few years has weakened the economy and had the hardest impact on families already living in poverty.

Episcopal Relief and Development responded with emergency grants to the mudslides and helped resettle those who were displaced.  ERD is now working with the Diocese of Venezuela on issues of food security.

Current Programs

Food security for families:
In the mountain town of Caripe in eastern Venezuela, ERD and the Diocese of Venezuela replanted a coffee farm as a source of new income for the local community.  Farm workers are cultivating the land to eventually produce, process, and sell coffee to fair trade organizations.  ERD is also looking to help farmers harvest, find outlets for and market papaya.  ERD is also renovating an agricultural school on the coffee farm.  The school will teach students gardening skills and diversified farming techniques.  With the future jobs created and income earned from the farm, people will be able to provide food and other critical needs for their families.  Future projects include the possibility of an organic certification for the farm.