Twelve days after the twin earthquakes that devastated northern Venezuela, the death toll and extent of the damage continue to rise. On the ground, our sister organisation SOS is continuing to assess needs and is launching an emergency relief operation.
Hundreds of aftershocks followed the two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, which struck northern Venezuela on 24 June. Five days later, a 4.6-magnitude tremor was felt in Caracas and La Guaira, raising fears of further aftershocks. Rescue operations remain a race against time, although hopes of finding survivors are dwindling. The government has declared seven days of national mourning.
The terrible death toll – 3,342 dead and over 16,700 injured (figures as at 5 July) – is likely to rise, whilst the UN reports 50,000 missing and estimates that 7 million people have been affected. Thousands of families have been displaced. Over 17,000 people are homeless. Many children have lost their loved ones or have no news of them. According to UNICEF, more than 680,000 children are in need of humanitarian aid. The material damage (more than 2,500 pieces of infrastructure affected, including around 40 hospitals) is considerable in at least seven states, starting with La Guaira, Miranda and the Capital District (Caracas).
and rescue operation in La Guaira (Venezuela) on 28 June 2026. © Daniel Garcia
Staff and beneficiaries of SOS Children’s Villages’ programmes in Venezuela were spared, but the local organisation has mobilised to provide emergency aid to the victims of the earthquakes, traumatised children and affected families, many of whom have lost everything. There is an urgent need for shelter for displaced people, food, drinking water, medical care and basic services.
In the areas of Petare, El Junquito and Turmero, where it has been active for many years, the SOS organisation, together with the authorities and its partners, is expected to focus on child protection, particularly for children separated from their families (family reunification, setting up child-friendly spaces, education in emergency situations, etc.), mental health and psychosocial support, multi-sectoral emergency aid (access to water, sanitation and hygiene, distribution of essential food and non-food items), livelihoods and long-term recovery. Some 7,680 people will be directly affected by this intervention.
At the same time, SOS Children’s Villages in Venezuela will ensure the continuity of its ongoing projects (it runs three children’s villages and four community centres serving more than 2,000 beneficiaries) in the states of Aragua, Miranda/Capital District (Caracas) and Zulia.
Call for solidarity: You can support the children and families affected by the earthquakes in Venezuela by making a donation to CCPL IBAN LU65 1111 0050 0053 0000 (reference: Emergency – Venezuela earthquakes)