Red Cross delivers lifesaving care in Venezuela
9 October 2026
Ranked among the strongest seismic events in the nation in over a century, two catastrophic earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within seconds of each other in north-central Venezuela in June.
The disaster claimed more than 6,509 lives, injured more than 16,700 people, and caused nearly NZ$70-billion in infrastructure damage across heavily affected areas like La Guaira and Greater Caracas.
The Venezuelan Red Cross distributed hygiene kits and basic supplies to more than 900 families across ten communities in Las Salinas
Three months on, a state of emergency remains in effect as thousands of displaced families continue sheltering outdoors or in temporary reception centres.
The emergency response has now transitioned into a structured 24-month recovery operation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Venezuelan Red Cross have identified three critical focus areas: primary healthcare, mental health care, and access to safe drinking water.
Primary health care focus
To date, Red Cross operations have delivered primary health consultations and mental health services to earthquake survivors, distributed 316,000 litres of clean drinking water and provided household relief packs—including tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and water purification filters—to more than 5,800 families.
As Venezuela begins the long road to recovery, donated funds are directly supporting operations that will rebuild water infrastructure through repairing communal distribution networks, install water treatment plants, and strengthen local water committees.
Venezuela Red Cross will continue maintaining field clinics and deploying mobile medical teams to isolated rural communities.
Kiwi generosity helps recovery operation
New Zealand donors contributed generously to our Venezuela Earthquakes Emergency Appeal, and we raised more than $134,000 to help people affected by the earthquakes.
These funds have been transferred to the IFRC and will go towards the 50 million Swiss franc (NZ$100million) Emergency Appeal it has launched to support a 24-month recovery operation.
Through the generosity of supporters across Aotearoa New Zealand, we can ensure Venezuelan communities receive the sustained care needed to rebuild their lives.
For more information
Finding hope in humanitarian response | New Zealand Red Cross
New Zealand donors help make Venezuela recovery possible | New Zealand Red Cross
New Zealand Red Cross launches Venezuela Earthquakes Emergency Appeal | New Zealand Red Cross
The Venezuela Earthquakes Appeal has closed but you can still donate to support where the need is greatest.
Header image: In the Josefa Camejo community in Falcón, the Venezuelan Red Cross continues its earthquake response, bringing health care and psychosocial support to families facing vulnerable conditions — part of a broader operation that has reached over 30 localities with more than 15,600 health consultations and support from nearly 1,500 volunteers nationwide. Here children play with a large rainbow-coloured parachute.