At least 4,500 people were killed after Venezuela’s June 24 earthquakes, and CRS worker Robyn Fieser said conditions on arrival were “a lot worse than expected,” with entire blocks pancaked and thousands still missing.
Two quakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck 39 seconds apart, crippling electricity, water and sanitation systems and leaving survivors digging for relatives while the smell of bodies still trapped under rubble lingers.
CRS and Caritas Venezuela have distributed hundreds of food and hygiene kits, tarpaulins, blankets and diapers, but Fieser said many people remain in tents near churches and still need basic food and water.
Trauma is now a parallel emergency: residents fear aftershocks, avoid closing doors while showering, sleep near exits and break down at alarm-like sounds, even as nurses and neighbors return to help the injured and grieving.
The disaster hit a country where 7.9 million people already needed aid before the quakes, and anger has grown toward leader Delcy Rodríguez over what many Venezuelans see as a slow government response.
With billions in national assets frozen, how can Venezuela fund its estimated $37 billion reconstruction effort?
The U.S. pledged $150 million in aid. How will this humanitarian crisis test America's new policy towards its Venezuelan ally?
Experts warned of building collapses for years. Will reconstruction finally prioritize safety, or is another disaster inevitable?
The 2026 Venezuela Earthquake: Over 4,400 Dead, Massive Displacement, and a Nation in Crisis
Overview
On June 24, 2026, a powerful M7.5 earthquake struck Venezuela, causing widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. The disaster led to over 4,400 deaths, thousands injured and displaced, and nearly 59,000 buildings either unstable or collapsed. Entire neighborhoods in Caracas slid down hillsides, while coastal areas like La Guaira suffered from soil liquefaction, sinking apartment complexes. The medical system collapsed, forcing doctors to treat victims in the streets, and over 15,800 people lost their homes. Massive international aid efforts began, but damaged infrastructure and ongoing risks like landslides and disease outbreaks made recovery and coordination extremely challenging.