Two major earthquakes have struck Venezuela, worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis and leaving communities in need of life-saving support.

Please donate today to support people affected by this disaster.

What's happening in Venezuela?

Two major earthquakes struck several states across Venezuela in June 2026, causing widespread devastation. More than 1,076 aftershocks have been recorded, with extensive damage to homes, health centres, and critical infrastructure.

At least 3,685 people have died, 16,740 people have been injured, and 17,907 people have been displaced or affected by the loss of their homes.

Authorities report that 6,462 people have been rescued since the earthquakes struck. A state of emergency has been declared as search, rescue and relief efforts continue.

Essential services have been severely disrupted, leaving communities without reliable access to power, water and healthcare. Authorities report that at least 856 buildings have been affected, including 190 that have collapsed.

Humanitarian needs are increasing rapidly, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. Women, children, older people and people with disabilities face heightened risks as access to basic services becomes more limited.

The earthquakes have hit a country already facing a complex humanitarian crisis. Even before the disaster, an estimated 7.9 million people in Venezuela required humanitarian assistance due to high poverty levels and limited access to essential services. (Source: UNOCHA)

How is Oxfam responding to the Venezuela earthquake?

Since the first earthquake struck, Oxfam's partners have been working to assess the most urgent needs of people affected by the disaster.

Oxfam has deployed a humanitarian team and is working with local partner organisations in some of the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes, particularly in Caraballeda and Catia La Mar in La Guaira.

Initial field assessments have identified urgent water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs in temporary shelters, alongside a high demand for psychosocial support and protection guidance.

Oxfam's planned response aims to reach 18,000 people through water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, psychosocial support, protection services and community-based recovery efforts.

Support for people displaced by the earthquake in other states is also planned.

How to help people in Venezuela

The best way to support people in Venezuela is through a donation.

Your donation will help Oxfam's partners deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid to communities affected by the crisis.

Please give today to provide vital support.

How we spend your donation

For every £1 you donate to this emergency appeal, we will allocate 9p of your donation to cover general support and running costs.

There is a small chance that we will raise more money than is needed for this appeal. If this happens, we'll spend any additional funds on other Oxfam projects – wherever the need is greatest.

Scenes showing damage in La Guaira following the Venezuelan earthquake. Photo: DEC/Arete/Alex Bartsch