47 Tons of Additional Relief Supplies Arrive in Venezuela; Providing Most Needed Health, Water, and Safe Shelter [Press Release]

UNICEF emergency relief supplies (Copenhagen, Denmark, June 29, 2026) are being flown in from Copenhagen. © UNICEF/UN0878226/Asamoah

[CARACAS/COPENHAGEN/NEW YORK, June 30, 2026]

Forty-seven tons of humanitarian supplies from UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) to support affected children and families following the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24 have arrived on the ground today.

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The supplies, transported from UNICEF's Supply Division in Copenhagen, include:

Emergency health kits (including supplies for safe childbirth, newborn care, and prevention/treatment of diseases)

Water purification and storage items to provide safe drinking water

Tents to set up child-friendly spaces and support hubs

Mobility aids such as wheelchairs

Recreational items to help children regain a sense of normalcy and continue learning, and supplies to support early childhood development.

"These supplies have arrived at a critical time for Venezuela's children," said Roberto Benes, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "Many families in the affected states urgently need access to safe water and health services. Many people are sleeping outdoors, fearing further aftershocks. These supplies will help provide children and families with the health care, clean water, and safe spaces they need most right now. However, the needs on the ground far exceed the supplies that arrived today, and sustained support is crucial to continue scaling up our response."

A 10-year-old boy, Josverlis, lives with his family in a tent set up in a stadium after leaving their home, which was severely damaged by the earthquake in La Guaira state, Venezuela (June 29, 2026). © UNICEF/UN0879569/Párraga

The earthquake, the largest to hit Venezuela in over 100 years, is estimated to have affected approximately 680,000 children across six affected states who are in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 600 aftershocks have occurred since the initial earthquake, creating an unstable situation for communities.

With these relief supplies, along with those that arrived on June 28 from UNICEF's warehouse in Panama, UNICEF expects to support over 100,000 children and families in the next three months.

UNICEF will continue to work with government authorities, the UN Country Team, and humanitarian partners to assess needs and expand its response in the areas of child protection, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation.

View of La Guaira state, Venezuela, where many buildings collapsed due to the earthquake (June 28, 2026). © UNICEF/UN0876933/Garcia

UNICEF estimates that $52 million USD is needed to respond to the emergency caused by the earthquake. This is part of the $137.6 million USD required for the entire 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela. However, prior to the earthquake, only 35 percent of this amount had been secured. UNICEF has already mobilized approximately $3.5 million USD from its internal emergency funds to enable the rapid initial deployment of supplies and personnel.

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The Japan Committee for UNICEF has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to support UNICEF's activities in response to the earthquake damage in Venezuela. We kindly request members of the press to cooperate in publicizing the UNICEF "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Fund."

Request for Support: UNICEF "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Fund"

We ask for your urgent support to deliver life-saving assistance to children and families affected by the earthquake in Venezuela.

1. Via Credit Card / Convenience Store / Online Banking

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

2. Via Post Office (Japan Post Bank)

Transfer Account: 00190-5-31000 / Account Name: Japan Committee for UNICEF

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

*Remittance fees will be waived for transfers made at the counter.

*Donations to the Japan Committee for UNICEF are eligible for tax benefits as donations to a specially designated public interest promotion corporation, including income tax, inheritance tax, and corporate tax. In some municipalities, they may also be eligible for individual resident tax deductions.

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About UNICEF

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) is a UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Its activities are guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and aim to promote the rights and well-being of every child in everything UNICEF does. UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to fulfill this commitment through its partnerships with governments, other UN agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector. UNICEF's work is funded entirely by voluntary donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments. (https://www.unicef.org) *Includes 32 countries and territories where National Committees for UNICEF operate.

About the Japan Committee for UNICEF

The Japan Committee for UNICEF is one of the 32 National Committees for UNICEF in developed countries and regions. It is the only private, non-profit organization in Japan that represents UNICEF, responsible for public relations, fundraising, and advocacy for UNICEF's activities in Japan. (https://www.unicef.or.jp)