Venezuela Earthquake Relief: How to Donate Wisely and Find Trusted Charities

When disaster strikes, generosity moves fast. These tips and trusted charities can help you support Venezuela earthquake relief with confidence.

Venezuela Earthquakes Leave Communities in Urgent Need

On the evening of June 24th, two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela. The earthquakes struck in close succession, increasing the risk of damage to already weakened structures.

According to June 25th Associated Press reporting, officials say the unusual earthquake doublet has killed at least 235 people and injured 4,300. The toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue, with many people still believed to be trapped and thousands reported missing.

The earthquakes also caused extensive damage, forced the closure of a major airport, disrupted power and cellular service, and left many people displaced or in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, and medical care. The disaster comes as Venezuela continues to face economic and infrastructure challenges

How to Donate Wisely to Venezuela Earthquake Relief

For those looking to support organizations providing relief in Venezuela, here are some tips to help you make informed giving decisions and ensure your donation reaches those most in need:

Look for On-the-Ground Presence. 

Charities with established operations in affected areas are often better positioned to respond quickly and deliver assistance to people in need. Some organizations may raise funds to support other relief organizations working on the ground. If that’s the case, you may prefer to donate directly to charities with an established presence in the affected region.

Seek Clear Appeals.

Look for appeals that are upfront and clear about what disaster relief services you are supporting. According to our Give.org Donor Trust Report on disaster relief, only 24% of potential donors believe disaster relief appeals are “very clear.”

Choose Experienced Organizations. 

Support experienced organizations with the capacity to respond quickly and effectively. Be cautious of organizations formed in the wake of a disaster. While they may be well intentioned, they may not have the experience or infrastructure needed to deliver on their stated relief efforts.

Give Money Rather Than Goods.

Donating money is typically the quickest and most effective way to help, giving charities the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most. In-kind donation drives, while well intentioned, are often less effective, particularly following international disasters, where transporting, storing, and distributing donated goods can delay relief efforts.

Understand Crowdfunding. 

If considering crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust. Review the platform’s policies and procedures, keeping in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet posts, others don’t.

Verify Charity Trustworthiness 

You can verify a charity’s trustworthiness by checking if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability on Give.org.

Trusted Charities Supporting Venezuela Earthquake Relief

The following organizations are BBB Accredited Charities that are currently raising funds to support earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela. As additional BBB Accredited Charities launch earthquake-related response efforts, they will be added to this list.