Venezuela earthquake: Islamic Relief reaches more than 2,000

Islamic Relief’s emergency response in Venezuela has so far reached more than 2, 200 people with vital aid following 2 devastating earthquakes.

Working through local partners, we have delivered hundreds of packages and hundreds more hygiene kits across locations where displaced families are sheltering, including the capital, Caracas, and the hardest hit state La Guaira.

Alongside immediate relief activities, Islamic Relief are continuing to assess humanitarian needs across northern Venezuela with a view to scaling up our response.

An enormous humanitarian crisis

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck the north of the country within 40 seconds of each other on 24 June. The second quake was one of the strongest tremors to hit Venezuela in a century.

It is estimated that the earthquakes damaged more than 60,000 structures across the country’s north. The United Nation’s disaster risk reduction body puts the total physical damage at $37 billion making it one of the costliest natural disasters in Latin American history, comparable to the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

More than 3,500 people have been confirmed dead, but the figures are expected to rise further still as search efforts continue. Over 16,700 individuals have been injured – a figure that is also expected to rise.

More than 50,000 people are missing, according to the United Nations’ humanitarian body (UNOCHA).

By donating generously today, you can help us reach the communities whose lives have been devastated by the earthquakes in Venezuela. Donate to our Venezuela Emergency Fund now.