To provide urgent humanitarian aidto all those affected by the earthquake in Venezuela by deploying specialized personnel and mobilizing resources to address the most urgent needs of the population affected by the disaster.
Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck north-central Venezuela on the night of June 24, with epicenters in the Yaracuy region, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquakes have caused structural collapses and damage to homes and businesses in Caracas and several states, with particularly severe impacts in La Guaira and Greater Caracas. National authorities have declared a state of emergency. Electricity, telecommunications and transportation have been disrupted, and critical damage has been reported to essential health and transportation infrastructure, with intermittent or interrupted public services in some areas.
Millions of people have been affected and urgent humanitarian aid is needed; priority actions include search and rescue, the provision of emergency shelter for families whose homes have been damaged, and emergency medical care, including psychosocial support. Safe water and sanitation, as well as essential supplies, will also be priorities in the coming hours and days.
The Venezuelan Red Cross is operational and responding to the emergency. Its national network of hospitals and health centers remains active and continues to provide care. It has activated rescue teams to support evacuation and search efforts, and assessment teams have been deployed to conduct fast assessments in the hardest-hit areas, while also mobilizing pre-positioned relief supplies.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is activating its response mechanisms, including its Disaster Response Emergency Fund. The Spanish Red Cross’s response in support of the Venezuelan Red Cross is focused on deploying specialized personnel and mobilizing resources to address the most immediate needs of all those affected.
Spanish Red Cross: link