On June 24, two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck north-central Venezuela in rapid succession, causing widespread destruction across several states. The back-to-back quakes collapsed buildings, displaced hundreds of thousands of people and have caused an increasing number of fatalities and injuries. The second tremor was the strongest to hit the country since 1900. According to the latest reports, at least 164 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 injured, with search-and-rescue operations continuing as authorities work to reach those trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The country has declared a state of emergency and called for international aid.
The first earthquake struck near San Felipe, a city of more than 200,000 people located about 200 miles west of Caracas, and the long-term effects of these earthquakes are likely to be severe. In addition to loss of life and a high injury toll, damage to hospitals and other health infrastructure—combined with power and communications outages—is disrupting access to essential healthcare services and contributing to surging humanitarian needs in a country already suffering from high rates of poverty and a weak healthcare system.
International Medical Corps has worked in Venezuela since 2019, delivering health, nutrition, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), food security and livelihoods, child protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs. We have so far reached more than 3.7 million people in 10 states, supported more than 120 health centers, and distributed medications, medical supplies and equipment valued at nearly $2 million. Because of the range of programs we already provide in the country, International Medical Corps is well-positioned to respond to this natural disaster.
Our in-country team immediately deployed to the affected region to assess needs, and we are coordinating closely with local authorities and partners to identify priority health needs and shape our response. This is expected to include the deployment of mobile medical teams to deliver immediate lifesaving health services, along with the distribution of essential medicines, medical equipment and supplies to affected communities. We will continue to work alongside government agencies and local partners to distribute hygiene and wound kits, procure other critical materials and adapt our response to address the most urgent health and humanitarian needs as the situation evolves.
Support at any level will help surge our response efforts and ensure access to essential services for families affected by these devastating quakes.
*Please note for recurring donations: Once we have determined that the community can continue to respond to the after-effects of this emergency without us, we will scale back our response efforts. At that time, we will redirect your future donations where they are needed most, to help us respond to future outbreaks of conflict, disease or disaster.
