Venezuela — humanitarian situation

Venezuela faces an ongoing humanitarian emergency following two powerful earthquakes that struck north-central Venezuela on 24 June 2026. The first earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed approximately 39 seconds later by a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5, with epicenters near Morón and Yumare in Carabobo and Yaracuy states, and approximately 17 kilometers west of Catia La Mar, off the coast near Caracas IFRC. As of 10 August, authorities reported 6,301 deaths and 73,356 people receiving care at hospitals OCHA. At least seven states have been affected, including the capital Caracas and the neighboring city of La Guaira, with 24,477 people currently displaced and 16,740 injuries confirmed IMC. Over 304,000 people affected by the earthquakes—57 percent of whom are women and girls—have accessed humanitarian assistance and essential services through a coordinated multi-sector response involving humanitarian organizations, United Nations agencies, communities, and national and local authorities OCHA. The Displacement Tracking Matrix assessed 110 community settlements, identifying 4,733 households and 12,127 individuals requiring assistance IOM. Priority needs include healthcare services, clean water, food, mental health and psychosocial support services, adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, and protection services IMC. Sexual and reproductive health services, specialized protection services for gender-based violence, and shelter remain critical concerns, exacerbated by loss of livelihoods, disruptions to health and protection services, and precarious living conditions in temporary accommodation sites UNFPA. The response continues to sustain emergency operations while transitioning toward early recovery, with current efforts focused on maintaining essential health services, rehabilitating affected facilities, supporting transitional camps, and delivering health services through a comprehensive approach while mitigating public health risks PAHO. IOM coordinated the distribution of approximately 1,700 non-food item kits in Mare Abajo and surrounding communities and maintains mobile health and mental health services in temporary accommodation sites IOM. Humanitarian air shipments continue to supply affected areas, supporting the multi-sector response across multiple municipalities (WFP, MapAction).