UNICEF says that 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, require urgent humanitarian assistance following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24.
On June 24, two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela within a minute.
This seismic event marks the most significant in over a century. Preliminary satellite assessments reveal that nearly a third of buildings in Catia La Mar, the hardest-hit area in La Guaira state, have sustained damage.
UNICEF Representative in Venezuela, Manuel Rodriguez Pumarol, stresses the growing need for aid.
He notes that hospitals are overwhelmed, thousands of children lack safe water, and numerous schools are damaged.
UNICEF collaborates with the Venezuelan government to increase support for affected families, emphasizing the urgency for continued funding.
Hospitals across La Guaira, Caracas, Carabobo, Aragua, and Falcón states have suffered severe damage.
This has disrupted essential care for children and pregnant women. In the Capital District alone, 432 schools-over a third of the total—have been impacted, severely hindering children’s education. The toll is expected to rise as further assessments are conducted. Authorities are repurposing undamaged schools as temporary shelters for displaced families.
In its reaction to the crisis, UNICEF has activated an emergency response. They are deploying more staff and mobilizing supplies to aid an estimated 650,000 people, including 234,000 children, focusing on health, nutrition, water, sanitation, child protection, and education.
A first UNICEF air shipment of 20 metric tons of medical supplies, water, sanitation items, and tents landed in Valencia from Panama on June 27. A second shipment from UNICEF’s global supply hub in Copenhagen is forthcoming. Combined, these shipments will support over 100,000 people.
UNICEF estimates it needs US$52 million to address the emergency. This is part of its broader 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela, totaling US$137.6 million. UNICEF has already mobilized approximately US$3.5 million from its internal emergency funds to enable immediate support. They are now urgently calling on donors for additional flexible funding to expand their response.
For more information, visit UNICEF’s official site and the latest updates on humanitarian efforts in Venezuela.
