On the night between Wednesday and Thursday, two violent earthquakes struck Venezuela in quick succession, less than 40 seconds apart, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The tremors were felt across most of the country, with epicenters located in northern Venezuela. Among the most affected areas are the capital Caracas, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, and neighboring States.
The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency. The situation on the ground is critical and still evolving.
The earthquake has caused significant damage to homes and key infrastructure. Some areas are experiencing power and telecommunications outages, while road and bridge damages are making it more difficult to reach the affected communities. The La Guaira area, among the hardest hit along with Caracas, is particularly isolated due to collapses inside the tunnel connecting the area to the rest of the country.
The number of casualties has reached over 160 people dead and nearly 1000 injured, but the figures are still temporary and there are fears of a mass casualty event. Hundreds of people are still trapped under the rubble, and some areas remain difficult for search and rescue teams to reach.
The situation remains extremely fragile. In the hours following the initial earthquakes, at least 20 smaller aftershocks were recorded. To prevent further casualties in case of additional building collapses, authorities have issued an order prohibiting people from sleeping inside their homes. Many families are spending the night outdoors or in makeshift shelters, either because they have lost their homes or because they are afraid to return to severely damaged buildings. The number of displaced people is still being determined.
In these early hours, the most urgent needs include the distribution of essential supplies, emergency medical care, access to safe water and sanitation, shelters for displaced families, and psychosocial support, especially for women, children, and vulnerable people.
Ensuring a rapid and coordinated response is essential to saving lives, assisting the injured, protecting families who cannot return to their homes, and supporting affected communities during the early stages of the emergency.
CESVI’s Response
CESVI, who has been active in Venezuela since 2002, immediately took action to monitor the situation. Our entire staff is safe and an initial emergency response team is on its way to the affected areas to assess needs and deliver initial aid.
In the initial phase of the emergency, CESVI will work to distribute essential essential supplies to the hardest-hit and most vulnerable families, providing food, water, and basic necessities.
CESVI is already operating in the country in two key areas: the distribution of supplies to the most vulnerable and protection services for women and children.
During these dramatic hours, CESVI stands with the people affected by the earthquake, focusing in the most vulnerable: families who have lost everything, children forced to sleep outdoors, women and vulnerable individuals in need of protection, safety, and immediate assistance.
Every contribution can make a difference, stand with the Venezuelan people.
