Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela as they face the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, on the eve of a national holiday when many families were gathered in their homes. At moments like this, the immediate priority is saving lives, supporting those who have been injured, and ensuring affected communities have access to the assistance they need.
Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela less than a minute apart, west of the capital, Caracas. Preliminary reports indicate widespread damage, including collapsed buildings in Caracas and surrounding areas, with dozens of people reported killed and hundreds injured, for instance. Search and rescue operations are continuing, while aftershocks and damage to critical infrastructure, including the closure of Caracas’ main international airport, are complicating response efforts.
The full scale of the humanitarian impact is still emerging. Authorities have declared a state of emergency, and rapid assessments are underway to better understand the extent of damage and the most urgent needs. Based on initial information, additional needs include temporary shelter, safe water and sanitation, food, protection services, and psychosocial support for affected families.
For more than a decade, Venezuela has faced a prolonged economic crisis driven by hyperinflation, alongside political instability, and heightened insecurity. Millions of Venezuelans have been forced to leave the country, while more than a third of those who remain live in extreme poverty. This latest tragedy is going to exacerbate existing inequalities and drive even more families into extreme hardship.
We know from experience that women and girls often face disproportionate challenges during disasters, and will likely need targeted support, including menstrual and hygiene supplies, reproductive health services, psychosocial interventions, and safe shelters to protect them from sexual violence and exploitation.
CARE is working with our existing partners in Venezuela, who are already responding to the earthquake, to determine how best to enhance their efforts and support communities directly impacted by this tragedy—especially women and girls who are most vulnerable after this crisis.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact Briony FitzGerald on 0404 117 927
About CARE Australia
CARE Australia supports women around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. We work in partnership with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women that they have long been denied: the ability to earn an income, gain access to their fair share of resources, to lead and participate in decisions that affect their lives, and to be able to withstand the increasing impacts of climate disasters and other crises. www.care.org.au
