Venezuela Earthquake: An Estimated 680,000 Children Await Aid — UNICEF Emergency Supplies First Shipment Arrives — UNICEF Emergency Fundraising Campaign Now Underway [Press Release]

Search and rescue operations for people trapped under rubble in La Guaira state, Venezuela, following the earthquake (photographed on June 27, 2026) © UNICEF/UN0876755/Hernandez

[Caracas/New York, June 27, 2026]

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) estimates that 1.8 million people, including 680,000 children, require humanitarian assistance following the earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24.

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On June 24, two consecutive earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 hit Venezuela—the largest seismic events in the country in over 100 years. Preliminary satellite image analysis indicates that nearly one-third of buildings in Catia La Mar, La Guaira state—the area most severely affected within the assessed zones—have sustained damage.

Manuel Rodríguez Pumarol, UNICEF Representative in Venezuela, said: "Three days into the response, the scale of required assistance is becoming clearer. Hospitals remain under severe strain, thousands of children lack consistent access to safe water, and many schools have been damaged. UNICEF is working with the Venezuelan government and partners to scale up support for children and families. Sustained funding will be critical to maintain this response over the coming weeks."

Hospitals across La Guaira state, the Capital District, Carabobo state, Aragua state, and Falcón state have suffered severe damage, with some reaching capacity limits, disrupting healthcare for children and pregnant women. Initial reports indicate that in the Capital District alone, 432 schools—more than one-third of all schools in the district—have been damaged, affecting children's education. As damage assessments are completed, the extent of damage in other states is expected to be even greater. Authorities are using undamaged schools as temporary shelters for families displaced from their homes.

UNICEF is expanding its emergency response in coordination with the Venezuelan government, United Nations agencies, and other humanitarian partners. This includes deploying additional staff and supplies to reach an estimated 650,000 people, including 234,000 children, with support in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection, and education.

The first airlift of UNICEF emergency supplies—20 metric tons of medical and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) items prepositioned in UNICEF’s warehouse in Panama—arrived in Valencia, Venezuela, on June 27. A second shipment from UNICEF’s Supply Division in Copenhagen is expected to arrive within days. These two deliveries are expected to assist over 100,000 people.

Emergency supplies transported from UNICEF’s warehouse in Panama arrive at Arturo Michelena International Airport in Valencia, Venezuela (photographed on June 27, 2026) © UNICEF/UN0876827/

UNICEF estimates that US$52 million is required to respond to this emergency. This is part of the 2026 Venezuela Humanitarian Action Plan, which has a total funding requirement of US$137.6 million. UNICEF has already allocated approximately US$3.5 million from its internal emergency fund to enable rapid initial deployment of supplies and personnel. UNICEF is appealing to the international community for additional flexible funding to sustain and expand the response.

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The Japan Committee for UNICEF has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to support UNICEF’s response to the earthquake in Venezuela. We kindly request media organizations to help publicize the "UNICEF Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Fund."

Appeal for Support: UNICEF Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Fund

Please help us deliver life-saving assistance to children and families affected by the earthquake in Venezuela.

1. By credit card, convenience store, or online banking:

https://www.unicef.or.jp/kinkyu/venezuela/

2. Via post office (Japan Post Bank):

Bank transfer account: 00190-5-31000 Account name: Japan Committee for UNICEF (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)

*Please clearly write "Venezuela" in the message field.

*No transfer fee is charged when depositing at a counter.

*Donations to the Japan Committee for UNICEF (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) qualify for tax benefits under Japan’s tax system for contributions to Public Interest Promotion Corporations, including income tax, inheritance tax, and corporate tax deductions. In some municipalities, donations may also qualify for individual resident tax deductions.

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About UNICEF

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is a United Nations agency that works to promote the rights and well-being of every child. Active in around 190 countries and territories*, UNICEF collaborates with numerous partners to turn this mission into tangible action, focusing especially on the most disadvantaged children, and working for every child, everywhere. UNICEF’s programs are funded entirely through voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations, civil society organizations, and governments. (https://www.unicef.org)

*Including the 32 countries and regions with UNICEF National Committees (UNICEF Associations)

About the Japan Committee for UNICEF

The Japan Committee for UNICEF (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) is one of 32 UNICEF National Committees located in developed countries and regions. It is the only civilian organization in Japan that officially represents UNICEF, responsible for public outreach, fundraising, and advocacy activities. (https://www.unicef.or.jp)