GENEVA / RankWire.AI / – The International Organization for Migration has issued an appeal for $98 million to aid Venezuela’s earthquake response. The requested funds will facilitate emergency relief and early recovery activities over a period of 12 months. On June 24, two significant earthquakes struck northern Venezuela. Official reports released on July 15 indicated 4,829 fatalities and 16,740 injuries. The authorities also stated that 17,907 individuals had been displaced from their homes. Humanitarian efforts prioritize shelter, healthcare, and essential services.
The earthquakes registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurring roughly 40 seconds apart. Intense tremors affected Caracas, La Guaira, and surrounding regions. The disaster caused damage to residential buildings, hospitals, roads, water systems, and other vital infrastructure. Aftershocks hindered rescue operations and complicated assessments in several communities. Many residents sought refuge in collective shelters or temporary accommodations. The surge in displaced families increased demand for medical services, clean water, and protection support from local agencies.
This appeal aims to support 850,000 people and assist 140 institutions or public entities within La Guaira, the Capital District, Miranda, Carabobo, Aragua, and Falcón. Planned interventions include temporary shelters, site management, healthcare services, and protection initiatives. The plan also includes repairs to damaged utilities and community infrastructure. Venezuelan authorities, local organizations, and humanitarian partners continue to coordinate relief efforts, guided by field assessments that ensure aid reaches the most affected and underserved communities.
Emergency funding prioritizes displaced households
IOM teams have assisted nearly 6,000 individuals residing in collective shelters. The agency has also delivered over 10,000 services since the earthquakes, including temporary housing, medical assistance, protection support, and site coordination. Field teams are ongoing in evaluating conditions across the six regions affected by the disaster, helping to identify critical shortages and allocate resources to the most severely impacted areas. The program integrates immediate relief efforts with early recovery measures.
Shelter remains a primary concern as many families cannot return to their damaged homes. The response plan supports those staying in collective centers, temporary accommodations, and affected residential areas. It also includes assistance for sanitation systems, healthcare facilities, and safe water supplies. Protection teams work to mitigate risks faced by displaced populations. Site coordinators collaborate with local institutions to enhance services and living conditions. Recovery activities concentrate on restoring essential infrastructure used daily by communities.
Framework for a 12-month recovery plan
An earlier flash appeal outlined humanitarian activities from July through December 2026. The current appeal expands this scope to cover a comprehensive 12-month period aimed at emergency response and recovery. The $98 million request will fund shelter initiatives, public services, and field coordination efforts. It also allocates resources for healthcare, protection, and infrastructure repairs. Humanitarian teams plan to deploy the funds across major population centers and smaller communities, prioritizing verified needs identified through local assessments and operational data.
As families continue to rely on temporary shelter and government assistance, ongoing damage to clinics, roads, and water networks strains local service providers. The requested funding aims to sustain relief activities during repair efforts. The programs include support for accommodation, healthcare, protection, infrastructure, and site management. They also bolster local institutions providing essential services in affected regions. The focus remains on assisting communities facing displacement, housing destruction, and utility disruptions.