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Venezuela Earthquakes

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

Photo: Venezuelan Red Cross

Last Updated: October 15, 2026

Two of the strongest earthquakes in over a century struck north central Venezuela on June 24, 2026, causing the country’s most catastrophic disaster in decades. The earthquakes occurred 39 seconds apart and caused structural damage to hundreds of buildings in La Guaira and Greater Caracas.

Months later, the emergency is far from over. Power, telecommunications and transport systems have been disrupted, and key health and transport infrastructure have sustained critical damage. Limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation is increasing the risk of disease for people who are displaced. Many are also experiencing anxiety, fear, sadness and trouble sleeping. Thousands of people with ongoing health conditions are struggling to get the care and medicine they need. 

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 and will continue to provide vital support to people impacted.

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. The greatest priorities now are primary health care, mental health care and access to safe water.

With support from Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, Venezuelan Red Cross staff and volunteers are:

  • Reuniting separated families 
  • Operating a field hospital and first aid stations in La Guaira
  • Providing mental health and psychosocial support
  • Providing access to safe water, sanitation systems, and other essential household items
  • Helping people stay informed by sharing accurate and trusted earthquake safety information
  • Operating a community centre that provides access to critical support services and resources for community members who have been affected, while also serving as a gathering place
  • Training community members and gathering community feedback to ensure the response is guided by people impacted.
     

In the initial days and weeks after the earthquakes, the Venezuelan Red Cross:

  • Supported search and rescue operations, with help from other National Societies
  • Sent out four damage and needs assessment teams the night of the earthquake to the worst affected areas
  • Provided ambulance services
  • Cared for the injured at its network of hospitals and clinics

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.
  • The Government of Canada, working with the Canadian Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), provided funds for an IFRC shipment of 5,700 items. The shipment landed in Venezuela 48 hours after the earthquake struck. These items included:
    • Tarpaulins
    • Water filters
    • Blankets
    • Foldable beds
    • Cleaning kits
  • The Canadian Red Cross provided medical kits, including supplies designed to support primary healthcare, chronic disease management, infection prevention, and life-saving treatment, to help people in Venezuela, with support from the Government of Canada.
  • Four Canadian Red Cross humanitarian experts have been mobilized to support the IFRC earthquake response. Three experts in health and shelter programming were sent directly to Venezuela, with the third expert sent to the IFRC’s regional office in Panama to provide leadership, coordination, and strategic support for the response.
  • The Canadian Red Cross worked 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 provided funds to the Mexican Red Cross and the Colombian Red Cross to support search and rescue, as well as healthcare activities, in Venezuela early in the response.
  • The Canadian Red Cross worked with the German Red Cross to have pre-positioned medications in Venezuela available for use during emergencies. These were available immediately for the Venezuelan Red Cross to use as part of their response efforts right from the start.
  • The Canadian Red Cross is grateful to the Government of Canada for matching donations to the Venezuela Earthquake appeal. These funds are being used to support the Red Cross response in Venezuela, including providing health services, water and sanitation support,  and helping families reunite. 

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.