Venezuela Earthquake Appeal

On Wednesday 24 June, two catastrophic earthquakes hit Venezuela within seconds of each other. The UN estimates that millions of people have been affected, with more than two million in the worst impacted areas. Families have lost loved ones, homes and the sense of safety and security they once knew.

Rescuers are searching for survivors, but the scale of loss is already significant. That's why we’re launching a UK-wide appeal to meet the escalating needs of people affected by the earthquakes. 

We're already working hard with our partners to assess the needs of our neighbours in Venezuela and ensure that our emergency response is exactly what and where it needs to be.

A devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck northern Venezuela just after 6 pm local time on Wednesday 24 June. A second, more powerful 7.5 magnitude quake hit less than a minute later – the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900.

The most serious impact has been reported in La Guaira and the Greater Caracas area - two of Venezuela’s biggest and most densely populated cities. Since then, aftershocks from the quakes have continued to hamper rescue attempts. 

Millions of people have been affected, with more than two million in the worst impacted areas. Importantly, thousands more are reported missing, which means that rescuers are still racing to find survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. 

While the full scale of the disaster is still emerging, we know that families urgently need shelter, food, water and medical care.

We’re releasing emergency funds to our network of trusted local partners active in the epicentre of Caracas and La Guaira. 

Our partners are on the ground, providing emergency medical treatment, delivering meals and food baskets and ensuring people have access to clean drinking water. They’re well-placed to deliver life-saving essentials, health kits to treat basic injuries and shelter to some of the worst-hit communities in some of the poorest neighbourhoods.