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Venezuela earthquakes

What's happening and how can I help?

Our expert assessment team is on the ground in Venezuela

The situation in Venezuela

Two powerful earthquakes shook Venezuela on Wednesday 24 June 2026. They struck less than a minute apart, and the second was the strongest to hit Venezuela since 1900.

Initial reports indicate that over 1,400 people have been killed, with thousands injured and tens of thousands missing. Hundreds of buildings have collapsed, hospitals have been damaged and the health services are overwhelmed.

During the first 24-72 hours after a major earthquake, the priority is finding and treating survivors. Initially, people need treatment for traumatic injuries.

Earthquakes of this magnitude rapidly overwhelm local health services, with ongoing provision of healthcare becoming the next priority.

How can I help?

Our assessment team is on the ground in Venezuela looking at how we can best save lives.

A donation to UK-Med today can help people in Venezuela and around the world to get the healthcare they need.

What is UK-Med doing?

An assessment team brings together medical and logistical expertise is working right now in Venezuela to work out how we can best help.

Earthquakes of this magnitude rapidly overwhelm local health services, so ensuring people can still get the everyday healthcare they need will be the next priority.

International medical teams work alongside national authorities and local health workers to support not replace.

The team will look at the risk of diseases spreading, as clean water supply has been disrupted by the earthquakes, and people have no choice but to stay in overcrowded shelters.

This is a critical window to save as many lives as possible, and that requires a coordinated effort.

UK-Med is working alongside the Venezuelan health authorities and international partners to identify where specialist medical support can have the greatest impact.

UK-Med’s expertise

UK-Med has experience and expertise in saving lives after earthquakes. We’ve seen the pattern before in Türkiye, Syria, Nepal, Haiti and other places around the world.

Local healthcare workers will be overwhelmed and exhausted. Their own homes and families are likely to be affected. Providing relief to them is critical.

UK-Med is part of a global network of emergency medical teams. The coordination work of the assessment team makes sure that work isn’t doubled up and that our help reaches those who need it most.