On the evening of June 24, two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela just 39 seconds apart — magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, the strongest to hit the country in more than a century. Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, now a declared disaster zone, bore the worst of it.
A week later, the toll is staggering and still rising: more than 2,200 dead, over 11,000 injured, and tens of thousands unaccounted for. Nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and the UN warns that up to 6.8 million people may need shelter, water, food, or medical care.
Why This Disaster Is Different
These quakes struck a nation already in deep humanitarian crisis. Years of economic collapse left Venezuela’s healthcare system fragile — aid workers say it is now at a breaking point — and many families were struggling to afford food and medicine before the ground ever shook.
That’s why how we give matters as much as that we give. Our donations do the most good in the hands of organizations already on the ground, with trusted local partners and deep roots in Venezuelan communities.
Three Trusted Ways to Help — Right Now
If you feel moved to help, here are three organizations doing trusted, meaningful work in Venezuela at this time:
Episcopal Relief & Development — Our own church family is on the ground. All members of the Episcopal Diocese of Venezuela are safe and accounted for — and they are serving. The diocesan center in Caracas has reopened as a supply collection hub, and volunteers are delivering aid across the city, some by motorcycle. Episcopal Relief & Development’s International Disaster Fund supports this locally led response, now and through the long recovery ahead. Give to Episcopal Relief & Development
UNICEF USA — Children are among the most vulnerable in any disaster. UNICEF is providing emergency support — safe water, health care, protection, and psychosocial care — for children and families across the earthquake zone. Give to UNICEF USA
World Central Kitchen — Chef José Andrés’ team is working with nearly 20 local Venezuelan restaurants to serve roughly 10,000 fresh meals a day — arepas, made by Venezuelan hands, for displaced families, rescue crews, and hospital workers — with plans to scale to 20,000–30,000 meals daily. As they put it: Venezuelans feeding Venezuelans. Give to World Central Kitchen
A Word of Hope
Recovery in Venezuela will take years, but the work has already begun — led by Venezuelans themselves, with churches, volunteers, and local kitchens at the center of it. Our gifts strengthen that work.
Please consider giving to this cause as you are able — and please keep the people of Venezuela in your prayers.