Venezuela Earthquake
Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela. Communities are shaken, homes destroyed, and families devastated.
The current situation in Venezuela
On the evening of 24 June 2026, two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela within minutes of each other.
The impact has been felt across the capital, Caracas, and throughout central and coastal regions. Early reports confirm collapsed buildings, damaged homes, and widespread disruption to essential services.
In some of the worst-affected areas, including Altamira and Los Palos Grandes, entire buildings have come down. At the country’s main international airport in MaiquetÃa, part of the terminal roof has detached, forcing a temporary shutdown of operations.
For many families, the safest place tonight is outside, sleeping in the streets or gathering in open spaces, fearful of aftershocks.
This is an active emergency. This page will be updated as we receive more information. Donate now
Donate nowWhat has been the impact?
More than 180 people
have been killed.
More than 1,500 people
have been injured.
Hundreds of homes
have collapsed or suffered severe structural damage.
What do people in Venezuela need right now?
This disaster comes at a time when millions of people in Venezuela were already struggling to survive.
Even before the earthquakes, around 7.9 million people needed humanitarian assistance. Many families were facing food shortages, limited access to healthcare, and unreliable basic services.
Now, the situation has become far more urgent.
People who were already vulnerable, including children, older people, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses, are at even greater risk.
In the hours and days ahead, the most urgent needs include:
Search and rescue efforts to reach people trapped or injured
Safe shelter for families who have lost their homes or are afraid to return
Medical care for the injured, and support for overstretched hospitals
Food assistance as supply chains are disrupted and prices rise
Clean water and sanitation where infrastructure has been damaged
Mental health support to help people cope with trauma, fear and loss
Your generosity can help ensure that families are not facing this crisis alone. Donate now
Donate nowCaritas is already responding
Local Church parishes are among the first places people are turning to for help.
Across affected areas, parishes have opened their doors to shelter displaced families and are distributing emergency supplies where they can. This immediate, community-led response is already making a difference.
Caritas Venezuela, part of one of the country’s most trusted humanitarian networks, is working alongside partners to assess needs and prepare a broader response.
With a presence in communities across the country, including remote and hard-to-reach areas, this network can quickly identify needs and get help to where it’s most needed.
Teams on the ground are currently:
Checking the safety of staff and volunteers
Gathering information on the scale of damage and need
Preparing to deliver life-saving support
Donate now to support people affected by the Venezuela earthquake. Donate now
Donate nowYour support matters now
Right now, families are facing uncertainty, fear, and loss.
But with your help, we can provide emergency shelter, food, clean water, and care to those most affected.
Every donation will support Caritas partners on the ground to respond quickly and reach people in urgent need.
FAQ
Your donation will be used to deliver support to vulnerable communities with emergency shelter, health and medical support, and access to clean water and food as a priority.
Choose an Australian charity that is working in Venezuela or has direct partnerships with organisations that are working in Venezuela that aligns with your values. To ensure your donation is going to be used effectively, check their website to see what percentage of funding goes to programs. Reputable charities will have this information readily available.
You can help people affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela by donating to a charity that is working in Venezuela or has direct partnerships with organisations that are working in Venezuela that aligns with your values. Your voice has power. Share information about the Venezuela earthquakes and how to help via your social media and personal networks. You can also contact your local MP to request them to send further support to Venezuela.
No, our partners on the ground are best placed to decide where funds are directed based on their expertise and first-hand experience of the priority needs of the population, and the current context and access situation.
Caritas has been present in Venezuela for many years and has deep experience and knowledge of communities, logistics and contexts, ensuring donations get where they are needed in a politically-neutral manner. We are DFAT accredited and ACFID signatories, ensuring that we have responsible governance of funds at the highest level.
Yes. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible for Australia.
No, we do not accept donations of goods. Goods can cause logistical issues and block the arrival of much needed aid. Donations of money allow us to ensure that what is arriving is what the population needs, while supporting the local economy.
Yes, we provide aid to those who need it most, regardless of background, religion, gender or sexuality. We prioritise the most vulnerable community members including children, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.
Where does my donation go?
The funds you donate to this appeal go to Caritas Australia’s Emergency Response Fund and will be used to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by this crisis. Should circumstances prevent us from delivering aid to this emergency, or if excess funds remain after the crisis, donations will be directed to other emergencies where Caritas has humanitarian operations.
