Venezuela earthquake response: an update from the region

Most urgent needs after the earthquakes

‘At present, the country's most urgent needs are highly specialised search and rescue teams, medical personnel and emergency health services.

‘It is important to remember that Venezuela has already experienced the exodus of around eight million people due to the prolonged humanitarian crisis, including a significant proportion of its medical, humanitarian and other skilled professionals. This inevitably affects the country's response capacity.

‘In the most severely affected areas there are also major disruptions to electricity, water and gas supplies, and communications remain difficult. We are still unable to establish contact with some church leaders in the affected areas.

‘We would greatly value prayer for the people of Venezuela, for the churches and partners responding on the ground, for wisdom for national authorities, and also for the Latin American team as we seek to accompany this situation, mobilise regional church networks and faithfully serve through our influencing model, while we also look for further opportunities to respond in this moment of crisis.

‘Thank you once again for your care, your prayers and your support. We will continue sharing updates as we receive verified information from our partners.’

Further facts about Venezuela after the earthquake

The two earthquakes that struck central Venezuela on 24 June have made things worse in a context of crisis driven by economic stagnation, inflation, and strained public services: at the start of 2026, 7.9 million people across Venezuela were already in need of humanitarian support.

Initial official figures after the earthquakes state that more than 589 people have died as a result, and around 3,000 have been injured. The toll is expected to rise as many thousands of people are still missing – current reports state that the number is over 50,000.

The impact has been far-reaching. Critical infrastructure, public services and housing across several states have been severely affected, with the worst impacts reported in the Capital District, La Guaira, Miranda, Carabobo and Yaracuy.

This all comes on top of the complex economic and political developments within the country that are affecting the needs of vulnerable people.

Already, basic services, including healthcare, water provision, education and energy, were limited, along with access to social protection, livelihood support and income-generating opportunities. This has particularly been the case for women, children, older people, people with disabilities, indigenous communities and people on the move.

The two earthquakes have exacerbated the situation in general, and left the area of La Guaira as a disaster zone, with the total collapse of water, electricity and gas services.

Local health centers are overwhelmed by patients with traumatic injuries, severe hypertension and acute psychological distress.

Local medical and rescue personnel are severely overstretched.

There have also been more than 20 aftershocks, and there is widespread panic as structural risks remain around unstable buildings and overcrowded makeshift shelters.

There has been a total telecommunications blackout in the hardest hit zones. Maiquetía International Airport and mass transit are closed, making access difficult.

Please join us in prayer for all those impacted.