On 24 June, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northwestern La Guaira state within less than a minute, around 160 kilometres from the capital Caracas. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quakes measured magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. Authorities fear the death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000, making this the strongest earthquake in Venezuela in more than a century. The government has declared a state of emergency.
Emergency teams are searching through the rubble for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The impact of the earthquakes was felt as far as the capital, where several structures have been destroyed. Nearly 2.5 million people across the country are directly affected.
We are on the ground, delivering initial life‑saving emergency assistance together with the Order of Malta in Venezuela and other partners, with an immediate allocation of 250,000 euros. Our emergency response team is assessing further measures.
The earthquakes hit a country already facing a severe crisis. Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis stems from a prolonged economic collapse marked by hyperinflation, widespread poverty and high unemployment. With inflation projected to exceed 600% in 2026, basic food items and access to healthcare have become unaffordable for the majority of people. As a result, 7.9 million Venezuelans have been forced to leave their homes.
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Cologne/Caracas. Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela’s western coastal region on Wednesday evening local time. Buildings collapsed in cities close to the epicentre, and thousands of fatalities are feared. Malteser International will provide immediate emergency assistance of 250,000 euros to support rapid relief efforts in the affected areas.
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Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V.
Reference:
Malteser International
Account number: 1201200012
IBAN:
DE10 3706 0120 1201 2000 12
S.W.I.F.T./BIC: GENODED1PA7
(Pax Bank Cologne)
