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.
Affected areas: The earthquake struck Yaracuy state in north-central Venezuela, with an estimated 3.9 million people exposed to severe shaking. Preliminary exposure analyses also estimate that more than 712,000 people live in municipalities exposed to higher shaking intensity.The earthquakes were felt across several states, including Miranda, Aragua, Yaracuy, Lara, Mérida, Falcón, Carabobo, the Capital District, and La Guaira. La Guaira may be among the worst affected –with multiple collapsed buildings.
Impact and general situation: A state of emergency has been declared. Preliminary reports indicate damage to buildings and critical infrastructure across multiple affected areas, while information remains partial due to disruptions to power and telecommunications services. National authorities continue to coordinate response efforts as damage assessments progress. Significant disruptions to transportation and other critical infrastructure have also been reported, while casualty figures remain under verification.
View the latest Situation Report for detailed information, key figures, and operational updates.
Health Situation and Priority Needs
The national health system has been activated to respond to the emergency, with public and private health networks mobilized to provide immediate care to injured people. Health services are under increasing pressure due to the growing demand for emergency and trauma care, while disruptions to electricity, water, sanitation, transport, and telecommunications pose additional challenges to the continuity of care, hospital operations, emergency referrals, and ambulance services.
Preliminary exposure analyses indicate that 91 emergency hospitals are located in areas affected by Intensity VI or above, including 20 hospitals exposed to Intensity VII or higher, primarily in Carabobo and Yaracuy. These estimates are intended to guide response planning and do not represent confirmed damage.
PAHO Response
Coordination
PAHO's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Health, Civil Protection, United Nations agencies, and the Health Cluster to support a timely and coordinated health sector response.
Health assessments and operational planning
Together with national authorities, PAHO is supporting rapid assessments of the functionality and safety of health facilities, mapping partner presence and operational capacity, and determining urgent requirements for medicines, medical supplies, oxygen, fuel, and other essential response items.
Surge capacity and emergency response
PAHO's Regional Response Team remains on standby, with specialists identified for potential deployment in health coordination, hospital safety, mass casualty care, logistics, and other key technical areas. In addition, 21 regional and international Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) from 15 countries have been identified, including three teams ready to deploy, should support be requested by the national authorities.
