What has happened
On Wednesday 24th June, two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela, severely affecting coastal and highly populated areas of Caracas and La Guaira.
So far, over 1,400 people have died and 3,200 have been injured, with numbers expected to rise. The Government has declared a state of emergency and is asking for international assistance.
Over 250 buildings have totally collapsed, trapping people under the rubble. Many people have lost their homes, with more than 70,000 families affected in the city. The UN reports that over 50,000 people have been reported missed so far.
This is a terrifying time for children. Many have lost their families and have nowhere safe to go. Children urgently need treatment for injuries, water, safe shelter, mental health support and to get back to learning safely as soon as possible.
What children need
Our teams have already carried out a rapid assessment to identify what children and families need most – emergency healthcare, access to water, safe shelter, child protection and mental health support – and are coordinating with local and international partners on our response to avoid duplication and maximise efficiency.
What Save is doing
Over the coming year, we aim to help 200,000 people, including 100,000 children, with:
Immediate assistance:
• Provide hygiene essentials, including family hygiene kits and menstrual hygiene items.
• Set up hydration points and safe water storage solutions.
Health & nutrition
• Deliver lifesaving healthcare through local partner, PALUZ, including through mobile health clinics – our Emergency Health Unit also stands ready to deploy if needed.
• Provide local health clinics with medical equipment and supplies.
Protection
• Set up safe spaces for children to recover and receive specialised support.
• Reunite lost children with their families in coordination with local authorities.
Education
• Repair damaged schools and providing teaching and learning materials.
• Support teachers to respond to children’s grief, distress and emotional needs.
How you can help
The earthquake comes as families in Venezuela are already facing a prolonged crisis since 2014. Economic collapse, political instability, hyperinflation, and international sanctions, alongside recurring climate shocks, have left millions unable to meet their basic needs.
We’ve already released $1.5 million from the Children’s Emergency Fund to start our response – but given the scale of this disaster, we urgently need more support. While the details of our response are being finalised, your support could help provide:
• £40 could provide treatment for one undernourished child.
• £80 could provide a one-month food kit for a family of four.
• £110 could provide two families with hygiene kits, including soap, toothbrushes, towels, washing powder and sanitary pads.
• £380 could help reunite a lost child with their family after a disaster.
