VENEZUELA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Two powerful earthquakes have struck north-central Venezuela, causing extensive damage. On the ground, HI teams are getting ready to respond to the emergency. © A. Jota / HI

​​​​​​​People in Venezuela and our teams need your help today

The evening of 24 June had only just begun in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, when two powerful earthquakes violently shook the ground. Two quakes of a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5, struck in quick succession, less than a minute apart, followed by more than thirty aftershocks. The second earthquake was the strongest recorded in over a century. The epicentre, located around 300 km west of Caracas, was at a shallow depth, which amplified its impact. 

The consequences are devastating: just 5 days after the quakes figures already put the death toll at 1450 and the number of injured much higher, but these figures are expected to rise as rescue teams search through the rubble in the devastated areas, particularly in the state of La Guaira and the Caracas metropolitan area. More than 56,000 people are reported missing. 

The material damage is considerable. More than a hundred buildings have collapsed and certain infrastructure, such as Caracas International Airport, has been severely damaged. Whilst many people are still searching for their loved ones beneath the rubble, interim president Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency. 

We urgently need your support

HI conducting a rapid needs assessment in La Guaira following the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela.  On the ground, HI teams are getting ready to respond to the emergency. © A. Jota / HI

“Social media often exaggerates the scale of disasters but in the case of La Guaira, I think it’s impossible to grasp the full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake from photos or videos.” 

“The lack of supplies and capacity to respond is devastating; healthcare staff are working with their bare hands and without equipment. They are performing amputations without anaesthetic because it has run out.” 

“Search and rescue operations have shown that the community can build networks of mutual support, but the reality is that the resources they have are not sufficient to cope with the scale of the disaster.”

“During the short time the team spent at the hospital, we were able to see the lack of support and equipment available for people whose mobility had been affected. Many people will find themselves living with a disability following the disaster, not only because they have suffered amputations or serious fractures, but also because they cannot be treated effectively. Some disabilities could be prevented through early intervention, but hospitals currently only have the resources to care for people in critical condition.”  

Andreina Jota, Regional Programme Development and Reporting Officer, member of the Rapid Needs Assessment team in La Guaira.

Your gift today could make an immediate and lasting difference to injured and disabled people affected by the Venezuela Earthquake.

Other ways to donate:

• By telephone: Call our Supporter Care team on 0330 555 0156 to donate by credit or debit card.
• By post: Send a cheque payable to "Humanity & Inclusion UK" to:
  Venezuela Earthquake Appeal, Humanity & Inclusion UK, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB.

Thank you