Venezuela: IFRC launches emergency appeal to assist 300,000 people and dispatches first 17 tonnes of aid

Caracas / Panama City / Geneva 26 June 2026 — Fewer than forty-eight hours after two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an Emergency Appeal for 50 million Swiss francs. Money raised will support the Venezuelan Red Cross in assisting 300,000 people seriously hit. The initial focus will be on La Guaira and Greater Caracas, where the destruction is most severe. "These quakes have been devastating for the people of Venezuela," said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the IFRC. "Tens of thousands of lives have changed forever. IFRC and Venezuelan Red Cross teams responded immediately; the value of having local teams, permanently in place, has already become clear. But a disaster of this scale cannot rest on local shoulders alone. We call on the international community to support our emergency appeal, providing support over coming days and for the long road ahead." This morning, the first 17 tonnes of humanitarian supplies are leaving the IFRC's regional humanitarian hub in Panama, via Tocumen International Airport, bound for Venezuela. The cargo includes kitchen sets, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, and other essential items. The Venezuelan Red Cross has been working around the clock — carrying out search and rescue, physical and and psychological first aid, restoring family links and damage assessments — even though its own volunteers are among those affected. Its National Headquarters has been critically damaged and some volunteers have lost their homes. The Venezuelan Red Cross’ national network of hospitals, clinics and ambulance services is helping to support an overwhelmed health system. The IFRC released two million Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) a few hours after the disaster. This IFRC Emergency Appeal seeks additional resources for the Venezuelan Red Cross to deliver emergency shelter and health care, including the setting up of field hospitals in the worst-affected areas. It will also allow for mental health and psychosocial support, safe water and sanitation services, the distribution of essential relief items and cash assistance, and the restoration of family links and protection services. With communications disrupted and many families separated, and because large Venezuelan communities live across the region, National Red Cross Societies in ten countries (Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina) have activated restoring family links services to help people find news of their relatives. For more information and to arrange interviews, contact: [email protected] In Panama Susana Arroyo +507 69993199 In Geneva Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367 | Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 83 96