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Venezuela Earthquakes

Members of the Venezuelan Red Cross supporting search and rescue efforts.

Photo: Venezuelan Red Cross

Last Updated: July 15, 2026

Two of the strongest earthquakes in over a century struck north central Venezuela on June 24, 2026, causing severe damage across several regions. The earthquakes occurred 39 seconds apart and caused structural damage to hundreds of buildings in La Guaira and Greater Caracas. Power, telecommunications and transport systems have been disrupted, and key health and transport infrastructure have sustained critical damage.

How the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is helping people impacted by the earthquakes in Venezuela

The Venezuelan Red Cross has been responding since the earthquakes hit. Their support includes:

  • Despite being affected by the earthquakes – including damage to its National Headquarters - the Venezuelan Red Cross quickly mobilized response efforts, providing critical relief to people impacted.
  • Four damage and needs assessment teams were deployed overnight after the earthquakes to the worst-affected areas. Based on these assessments, the priorities of the Venezuelan Red Cross are:
    • Search and rescue
    • Dignified management of the deceased
    • Reuniting separated families 
    • Providing emergency shelter for those whose homes are damaged or destroyed
    • Providing emergency health care, such as support for injuries, emotional well-being, and mental health
    • Providing access to safe water, sanitation systems, and other essential household items.
  • The Venezuelan Red Cross network of hospitals and clinics is providing vital healthcare for those impacted. Their services include:
    • Providing ambulance services
    • Caring for the injured at its network of hospitals and clinics
    • Setting up a field hospital and two first-aid stations in La Guaira
  • Teams are helping people stay informed by sharing accurate and trusted earthquake safety information.

How the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Venezuela Earthquakes response

  • The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) is mobilizing its global response tools to support the operation. This includes an allocation from the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), to which the Canadian Red Cross and Government of Canada contribute.
  • The Canadian Red Cross worked with the German Red Cross to have medications in Venezuela available for use during emergencies. These are available for the Venezuelan Red Cross to use as part of their response efforts.
  • The Canadian Red Cross has a long history of working with our partners in the Americas.
  • To date, with support from donors and the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross has provided funds for an IFRC shipment of 5,700 items. These items include:
    • Tarpaulins
    • Water filters
    • Blankets
    • Foldable beds
    • Cleaning kits
  • The items above landed in Venezuela 48 hours after the earthquake’s impact. When emergencies of this size and scale occur, resources are quickly spread thin. Emergency stocks are an important part of sustaining and scaling up lifesaving assistance.
  • Two Canadian Red Cross humanitarian experts have been mobilized to support the IFRC response in health and shelter coordination.
  • The Canadian Red Cross is working with the Portuguese Red Cross to mobilize emergency stocks to Venezuela. The stocks include blankets, bedding materials, and hygiene kits for men, women, infants and families.
  • The Canadian Red Cross has provided funds to the Mexican Red Cross urban search and rescue team, which has been supporting the search and rescue efforts in the early hours of the response.

We remain in close contact with our Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners and stand ready to provide further support as needed.

How you can help people impacted by the earthquakes in Venezuela

People in Canada wishing to help are encouraged to make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Venezuela Earthquakes Appeal.

Donate Now

Money raised will enable the Red Cross to support immediate relief, recovery efforts, resilience, and preparedness activities for future events in impacted and surrounding areas. As urgent needs are met in this crisis, funds may be used to support readiness to respond quickly to future disasters.