Together, we can be there for children who need it most. Donate now to our Venezuela Earthquake Appeal.
What's happening in Venezuela?
Updated 03/07/26
Two devastating earthquakes ripped through Venezuela on 24 June.
The massive earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, have left thousands of children homeless, hungry and terrified. And right now, children and families sheltering outside are facing a new disaster due to powerful rainy season storms.
Over 2,000 people are reported dead – but with over 60,000 people reported missing, we know that number will be higher.
Imagine being a child in this situation. Your home collapsing around you in a matter of seconds. Being forced to flee for your life. Your world torn apart, overnight.
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 experience that children will need urgent support to access shelter, food, water and healthcare now.
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've joined forces with 13 other leading UK charities through the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), combining our expertise, local partnerships and resources to make sure support reaches children and families as quickly and effectively as possible.
Our teams and partners began responding in the affected areas within 24 hours of the earthquakes.
Your donation will help us to provide children and their families with the urgent support they need to survive, stay safe and begin to recover:
- Child protection and emotional support – safe spaces where children can learn and play, psychological first aid, and support to help keep children safe from harm
- Healthcare - lifesaving medical supplies and treatment as well as support to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks
- Food and nutrition - emergency food supplies and treatment for malnutrition for children and families who have lost access to food and cooking facilities
- Clean water - safe drinking water, hydration points and secure water storage to help prevent disease
- Hygiene and cleaning kits - soap, sanitary products and other essential items to help families stay clean, healthy and reduce the risk of disease
- Education - temporary learning spaces and teaching materials, helping children to stay safe, regain a sense of normality, and continue learning after the disaster.
We're aiming to reach 350,000 people, including 200,000 children, in these crucial first few months.
That’s only possible thanks to the generosity of people like you, helping us protect children who need it most - today, tomorrow and always.
Donate now to help children in Venezuela survive these terrible earthquakes.
Meet Carlos*
Photo: Edwin Corona Ramos / Save the Children
"In the future, I would like to help people in need and make sure they lack nothing." - Carlos*, 13
Carlos was at home when the devastating earthquakes hit. He fell, but quickly got back up and grabbed onto a nearby plant until the ground stopped shaking.
Disasters like these impact so much of a child's life: their health, their safety, their wellbeing and their education. Carlos hasn't been able to go back to school since the earthquakes struck.
Now he comes to a safe space set up by our teams and partners in Venezuela: a space where he - and children like him - can play, learn and build hope for the future.
This safe space exists thanks to the support of people like you.
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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We began responding within 24 hours of the earthquakes. Working with partners, we're there ready to provide healthcare, child protection support, shelter and food - prioritising children facing the greatest risks, such as those with disabilities or living in overcrowded shelters.
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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.
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What is the DEC?
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The DEC, or Disasters Emergency Committee, brings together 15 large UK charities to raise donations quickly when disasters strike overseas – such as the Venezuela earthquakes. Save the Children is a member. Find out more about the DEC.
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
*names changed to keep children safe
