Venezuela Earthquakes 2026

Venezuela is facing a national emergency after two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 hit the north-central region within a minute of each other at 6:00 pm local time on June 24, 2026. This is the most significant seismic event to affect Venezuela in over a century. At least 856 buildings were affected, including 190 that collapsed. Since the devastating earthquakes hit, authorities have reported more than 1,100 aftershocks.

While the earthquakes were felt across much of Venezuela and neighboring countries, at least seven Venezuelan states have been impacted, including La Guaira, Caracas, Miranda, Falcón, Carabobo, and Yaracuy. The most serious impact has been reported in La Guaira. Venezuelan authorities have reported more than 4,500 deaths, at least 16,740 injuries, and 6,462 rescues since the start of the emergency. Some 18,000 people have been left homeless.

The Venezuelan government's response has focused on search-and-rescue operations, providing emergency medical care, and assessing damage, while the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to work alongside national authorities to support survivors and address their most urgent needs. According to Venezuelan authorities, 87 transitional camps are supporting affected populations with a capacity of over 22,000 people and a current occupancy of nearly 17,000.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) has conducted an initial assessment indicating that the direct damage to housing and infrastructure amounts to approximately US$37 billion. The majority of the damage, estimated at around $24 billion, is concentrated in housing, businesses, schools, hospitals, and public facilities.

On July 8, the United Nations launched a US$296 million appeal to provide life-saving support to 1.3 million people affected by the devastating earthquakes over the next six months. This appeal is an addendum to the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, which already requests $632 million to provide food, shelter, health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance, as well as other critical interventions.

To date, approximately $300 million has been received for response efforts in Venezuela. With the addendum, the current funding gap stands at about $600 million. As the response shifts from search and rescue to the broader humanitarian and recovery phase, the most urgent priorities focus on shelter, health, water, sanitation, hygiene, food security, protection, education, and early recovery.

The devastating earthquakes occurred at a time when millions of Venezuelans were already facing significant humanitarian needs. Nearly 8 million people in Venezuela required humanitarian assistance at the start of the year due to economic stagnation, inflation, and strained public services.

The country continues to navigate complex economic and political developments that affect the needs of vulnerable people. Persistent gaps in basic services, including healthcare, water, education, and energy, remain among the most critical needs of vulnerable populations. Access to social protection, livelihood support, and income-generating opportunities is limited, particularly for women, children, older adults, people with disabilities, indigenous communities, displaced people, and LGBTQ+ people.

Emergency Appeals: Venezuela Earthquakes 2026

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Last updated: 14/07/2026

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