[Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief] Update 2: Delivering Support to Protect Children's Lives and Futures

International NGO World Vision, which supports children worldwide, has immediately established an emergency response team in Venezuela to address the earthquake exceeding magnitude 7 that occurred on June 24. They have begun distributing hygiene kits and food, and operating "Child-Friendly Spaces" where children can spend time safely and securely.

World Vision Japan (Secretariat: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; Director: Migiwa Nakajima; WVJ), the Japan office of World Vision, is accepting donations for the "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund" from people in Japan.

In Venezuela, where a severe humanitarian crisis has been ongoing even before the earthquake, prompt assistance will protect the future of children. We ask for your cooperation.

Children and staff at a Child-Friendly Space established by World Vision at an evacuation center in Caracas.

Devastating human and material damage. 12,000 people forced to evacuate.

On June 24, 2026, a series of earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7 occurred in Venezuela, South America, followed by over 400 aftershocks. The epicenter was in Carabobo State, approximately 160 km west of the capital, Caracas. Due to the shallow epicenter, widespread and severe damage occurred.

Many buildings and homes were half-destroyed or completely destroyed.

According to the official announcement by the Venezuelan National Assembly on June 29, 1,719 deaths and 5,034 injuries have been confirmed, with over 69,000 people unaccounted for due to communication disruptions. It is also reported that over 12,000 people are being forced to evacuate.

Many buildings collapsed or were damaged, the international airport was closed, and infrastructure such as hospitals suffered damage to over 2,500 facilities. Road blockages, power outages, and communication failures are significant obstacles to relief efforts.

Delivering the most needed support to children now.

International NGO World Vision, which supports children worldwide, established an emergency response team on the ground immediately after the disaster and conducted initial assessments across eight states.

Interviewing evacuees outdoors and distributing relief supplies.

The initial assessment revealed the following urgent needs:

• Child Protection and Safety: Children are sleeping outdoors, separated from their guardians, or in shared spaces with military encampments. Makeshift shelters are unsafe and pose serious protection risks.

• Mental Health: Fear of aftershocks, bereavement, and high levels of anxiety, grief, and PTSD due to sudden displacement are widespread across all eight surveyed states.

• Water and Sanitation: Disruption of safe drinking water supply and deterioration of sanitation conditions are increasing the risk of infectious diseases, especially in shelters.

• Food: Many households rely solely on dry foods like biscuits, and some shelters have no appropriate meals for infants.

In response to these urgent needs, World Vision is promptly delivering assistance with a focus on the following areas:

• Distribution of emergency relief supplies

• Child protection and psychosocial support

• Safe water and sanitation support

• Temporary shelter support for affected families

As of June 29, the following assistance has been delivered:

• Hygiene kits and food baskets distributed to 215 households.

Additional distribution to 300 households is planned for June 30 (local time), along with the provision of hot meals at community kitchens.

• Established "Child-Friendly Spaces" in two locations in Caracas where children can spend time safely and securely, providing psychosocial support to 54 children and adolescents.

• Conducted training for support staff on child protection, psychological first aid (PFA), etc.

• Collaborated with the Catholic Church and Central University of Venezuela (UCV) to effectively respond to community needs.

Interviewing evacuees outdoors. Children drawing at a "Child-Friendly Space."

Accepting donations for the "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund."

We are requesting cooperation with the "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund" to address the urgent needs of children whose daily lives have been disrupted by the sudden major earthquake. We ask for your support to protect children's lives and futures.

Donate to the Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund.

Humanitarian crisis ongoing before the earthquake. World Vision remains and supports.

This earthquake further exacerbates the lives of children and families who were already in a vulnerable situation. In Venezuela, where approximately 77% of the population lives on less than $1.90 a day due to economic collapse and about 6.5 million people have fled abroad, a severe humanitarian crisis has been ongoing even before the earthquake.

In a World Vision survey in January 2026, we confirmed that 34% of households have families unable to eat, and 56% of children and adolescents are already experiencing emotional distress. There is strong concern that this earthquake will further worsen these vulnerabilities.

"Humanitarian aid has now entered a new phase where child protection is prioritized, as well as responding to urgent needs. Supporting each individual working on the front lines of aid and ensuring safe spaces for children in coordination with authorities are key to supporting the recovery of affected families."

Peter Gaye, Country Director for Colombia and Venezuela, World Vision

World Vision was already conducting aid activities in Venezuela before the earthquake.

In response to this earthquake, which adds to the humanitarian crisis, we will work in collaboration with partner organizations and relevant agencies to protect the lives of children in Venezuela, support their future livelihoods, and connect them to their future, by delivering the most needed assistance promptly.

• Latest information on "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Relief" is available here.

• About World Vision Japan

An international NGO based on Christian principles, working for children living in difficult circumstances due to poverty, conflict, natural disasters, etc. It is the Japan office of World Vision, which operates in approximately 100 countries and is accredited and registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Learn more here.