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What's happening in Venezuela?
Two devastating earthquakes have ripped through Venezuela.
The massive earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck during the evening - when many people were returning home.
Over 16 million people - roughly 80% of the country's population - live in the earthquake zone. Rescuers are racing to find people trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Imagine what children in Venezuela are going through right now. The shock, the fear, the confusion. Imagine feeling your home collapsing around you. Your world torn apart in seconds.
The damage has cut off communications and power in some areas, so the extent of the destruction is still becoming clear. But we know from past experience that children will need urgent support to access shelter, food, water and healthcare now.
Many children will have lost their homes. Some may have been separated from their families, facing increased risks of exploitation and abuse.
In any emergency, children are always the most vulnerable. It’s vital we act fast to save lives.
What we're doing to help children and their families in Venezuela
We're there right now, getting ready to support children and their families with the things they'll urgently need most:
- healthcare
- shelter
- food
- child protection
We're aiming to reach 200,000 people, including 100,000 children, with vital support.
That’s only possible thanks to the generosity of people like you, helping us protect children around the world.
This is what we do, day in, day out, in more than 90 countries. Help us always be where it matters – today, tomorrow and always.
Save the Children
Families are clutching what few belongings they managed to save, children are in the open streets too scared to return to their destroyed homes which are unsafe. The safety of children is a serious concern and our top priority.
Fatima Andraca, Country Director Save the Children in Venezuela
How will your donation be used?
Your donation could be used to fund any of our work around the world.
That way, we can respond the moment an emergency hits without having to raise money first. We can make sure families are better prepared to cope long before disaster strikes. We can help communities set up early warning systems, so they know an emergency coming and can get to a safe place. And we can get supplies to children immediately because we already have our team prepped, ready to respond.
Protect children in crisis. Today, tomorrow, always
Your questions answered
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What caused the Venezuela earthquake?
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Venezuela sits on a network of active fault lines, making it prone to seismic activity. The 24th of June earthquake was caused by movement along the Boconó-Morón-El Pilar Fault System, a complex boundary where the Caribbean and South American plates collide, triggering widespread destruction across affected regions.
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Is Venezuela prone to earthquakes?
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Yes. Venezuela lies in a seismically active zone in northern South America. The country has experienced significant earthquakes historically, and communities - particularly children - often lack the resources to recover quickly.
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When did the Venezuela earthquake happen?
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The earthquake struck on the 24th of June 2026. Save the Children's teams were mobilised immediately to reach children and families in the worst-affected areas.
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What was the situation in Venezuela before the earthquake?
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Venezuela is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world. Years of economic collapse, hyperinflation, and climate‑related disasters have pushed millions of families to the brink. Basic services like healthcare, education, clean water, and protection have deteriorated dramatically, and many parents can no longer meet even their children’s most fundamental needs.
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How is Save the Children responding to the Venezuela earthquake?
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Working with partners, we're there ready to provide healthcare, child protection support, shelter and food. Every donation helps us reach more children.
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How does Save the Children help children affected by earthquakes?
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We've been responding to earthquakes around the world for years, making sure children and families have the emergency relief and long-term support they need to rebuild their lives. Find out more about how we help when an earthquake strikes.
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What work was Save the Children already doing in Venezuela?
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We've been working with local partners in Venezuela since 2018, making sure children get the support they need. We focus on:
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene: fixing sanitation systems in schools, such as building toilets and washrooms
- Health: providing community healthcare and basic medical care
- Nutrition: screening for malnutrition in communities and supporting caregivers with breastfeeding
- Child Protection: promoting the well-being of children and teenagers through learning activities, child-friendly spaces, mindfulness practices in schools and communities, and mental health support
- Education: providing educational kits, training teachers, and coordinating with educators and community partners to help students catch up on their learning and support their return to school.
Since 2020 we've reached more than 276,000 people, including over 150,000 children. Find out more about our work in Venezuela.
Page updated June 2026
