What is happening in Venezuela?

On 24 June 2026, two earthquakes struck Venezuela just seconds apart. Measuring a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5, they reduced buildings to rubble in minutes. 

The scale of destruction is huge. Thousands of people have been killed, and thousands more have been injured and need medical care, with the country’s hospitals under extreme pressure. 

The devastation caused by these earthquakes comes on top of a severe economic crisis.

How have the earthquakes affected people?

People have lost their loved ones, homes, livelihoods and belongings. Many families are sleeping in makeshift tents on the street, with little protection from the sun and the rain.

The earthquakes caused damage to homes and businesses in the capital city Caracas and across several states, with particularly serious impact reported in the La Guaira and Greater Caracas areas. Over 96,000 buildings are believed to have been damaged or destroyed and with infrastructure destroyed and basic services severely disrupted, people are cut off from accessing essential care and supplies. 

Many are living without access to sanitation and hygiene services, and overcrowded conditions in temporary shelters are increasing the risk of disease.
 

What are DEC charities doing to help?

Millions of people are estimated to have been affected, including more than two million in the worst impacted areas. Survivors urgently need shelter, food, water, and medical care today.

DEC charities and their local partners have been providing urgent aid since the earthquakes struck, including emergency medical treatment, delivering food, ensuring people have access to clean drinking water, and supporting search, rescue and recovery efforts. 

Here are some examples of how DEC charities are supporting people in Venezuela: 

• Action Against Hunger has supported more than 2,500 people in affected areas distributing drinking water, hygiene kits, nappies and cleaning supplies, while expanding access to food, shelter, sanitation and psychosocial support for displaced families.
   
• Christian Aid, working through local partners, is distributing household water filters, alongside providing medicines, psychosocial support, mattresses, blankets and emergency tents for families affected by the earthquake.
   
• Oxfam has deployed humanitarian teams to the worst affected communities and has reached people with clean water, sanitation and hygiene support, psychosocial services, protection assistance and community led recovery programmes.
   
• World Vision has already supported over 200 households with food baskets and hygiene kits, established two Child-Friendly Spaces reaching children and adolescents, and is expanding mental health support and child protection services across seven states in Venezuela.
   

How can I help earthquake survivors in Venezuela?

Your support can be a lifeline for families affected by this catastrophic disaster. If you can, please donate now to help save lives.

You can also support the DEC appeal by fundraising for us. See our fundraising pack for ideas and resources to help you make the biggest difference possible.