Thousands of families have been affected by the Venezuela earthquakes. Here’s how trusted charities are providing emergency relief and long-term recovery.
The death toll from the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,734 as of July 14, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. As is often the case following major disasters, unofficial estimates of the death toll are considerably higher.
Beyond these tragic losses, 16,740 people have been injured, and close to 18,000 displaced. The Venezuelan capital of Caracas and the state of La Guaira were especially hard hit. The mainshock of the earthquake is thought to have been Venezuela’s most powerful since the 1900 San Narciso earthquake.
So far, 6,462 people have been rescued. First responders and volunteers from Venezuela and neighboring countries are working to provide food, clothing, and shelter to survivors while supporting the early stages of rebuilding homes and infrastructure.
Charities are playing a critical role in Venezuela’s recovery, providing emergency relief and supporting long-term rebuilding efforts.
In this week’s Wise Giving Wednesday, we highlight the critical work of some of our accredited charities as they provide relief and support:
Americares is supporting medical teams providing primary medical care at a temporary clinic staffed by 35 professionals, where they are treating injuries, refilling medications, and providing laboratory testing, dental care, and mental health support. Learn more about their relief efforts →
International Rescue Committee is scaling up its emergency response in Venezuela by supporting clinics and mobile health units that provide primary, trauma, and mental health and psychosocial care; distributing hygiene kits and water purification products; and protecting people at heightened risk, especially women and children, in the aftermath of the earthquakes. Learn more about their relief efforts →
UNICEF USA and its partners are mobilizing additional staff and supplies. UNICEF’s first shipment arrived in Valencia, Venezuela, from Panama on June 27 and included 20 metric tons of medical supplies, tents, and water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies. A second shipment of 47 metric tons of humanitarian supplies arrived on June 30. Together, the shipments are expected to support 100,000 families for three months. Learn more about their relief efforts →
World Vision reports working with local church partners to reach 45,000 people across La Guaira, Caracas, and Miranda, providing emergency food aid, hygiene and water kits, recreational kits, and child protection services. World Vision’s teams have also established child-friendly spaces offering structured play, psychosocial support, and adult supervision to help children recover from trauma and protect them from the risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Learn more about their relief efforts →
Save the Children is providing emergency food, water, health care, and shelter assistance to families displaced by the earthquakes. Learn more about their relief efforts →
If you’re considering giving to Venezuelan earthquake relief, please see our recent article on how to donate and find trusted charities in the wake of the disaster. También disponible en español. As communities in Venezuela recover from devastating earthquakes, this article highlights ways to identify trusted charities providing relief and recovery support.
As always, we encourage you to visit Give.org to verify whether charities meet all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability before giving.
The following accredited charities are responding to the Venezuela earthquakes through emergency assistance, medical care, shelter, and long-term recovery efforts.
| Charity Name | BBB Give.org Report | Relief Efforts |
|---|---|---|
| American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Americares | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Catholic Relief Services | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Direct Relief | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| GlobalGiving | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Heart to Heart International | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| International Medical Corps | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| International Rescue Committee | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Oxfam America | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Project HOPE | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| Save the Children | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| UNICEF USA | Review Report | Relief efforts |
| World Vision | Review Report | Relief efforts |
We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.
