Venezuela Earthquake Response 2026
On 24 June 2026, Venezuela was affected by a powerful earthquake sequence, with a magnitude 7.2 foreshock followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock. Both earthquakes were shallow (approximately 10–22 km deep) and struck the north-central region of the country.
The earthquakes were felt across several states, including Miranda, Aragua, Yaracuy, Lara, Mérida, Falcón, Carabobo, La Guaira, and the Capital District. Preliminary reports indicate damage to buildings and infrastructure in multiple affected areas. La Guaira is among the hardest-hit areas, with collapsed buildings and ongoing search and rescue operations. Information remains partial due to disruptions to power and telecommunications services, while damage assessments continue.
A state of emergency has been declared. National authorities are coordinating response operations and damage assessments as they continue to verify the impact of the event. Significant disruptions to transportation and other critical infrastructure have also been reported, while casualty figures remain under verification.
Health Situation
Health services are under increasing pressure due to the expected surge in trauma cases. The national health system has been activated to respond to the emergency, with particular attention to the most affected areas. Disruptions to health services, water and sanitation systems, electricity, telecommunications, and transportation pose additional challenges to the continuity of care, patient referrals, and the functioning of health facilities.
In the coming days, priority actions include the care of injured people, rapid assessment of the functionality and safety of health facilities, maintenance of essential health services, and epidemiological surveillance to prevent disease outbreaks and other public health threats.
PAHO Response
PAHO is closely monitoring the situation through its Country Office in Venezuela and its Emergency Operations Center, maintaining close coordination with the Ministry of Health, Civil Protection, United Nations agencies, the Health Cluster, and other partners to support a coordinated health sector response.
Together with national authorities, PAHO is supporting rapid assessments of the functionality and safety of health facilities, identifying priority health needs, and assessing urgent requirements for medicines, medical supplies, oxygen, fuel, and other essential response items in coordination with the 46 Health Cluster partners.
PAHO’s Regional Response Team remains on standby. In addition, the Organization is monitoring the availability of 21 regional and international Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) from 15 countries, including 3 teams ready to deploy, should support be requested by the national authorities.
