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Venezuela Earthquakes

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

Photo: Venezuelan Red Cross

Last updated: June 26, 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.
  • Rescue teams are supporting evacuation and search efforts.
  • Four damage and needs assessment teams were deployed overnight after the earthquakes to the worst-affected areas. Their findings will guide where assistance is prioritized.
  • The Venezuelan Red Cross network of hospitals and clinics continues to deliver care as facilities receive the injured — a critical asset in the first hours after the earthquakes.

How the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Venezuela Earthquakes response

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:

  • 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 Government of Canada, working with the Canadian Red Cross, provided funds for a shipment of 5,700 emergency relief items. These items, which include kitchen sets, hygiene kits, and blankets, 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.

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.