The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a US$24 million emergency appeal to support urgent health response and early recovery efforts following powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026. The appeal will fund critical lifesaving services over the first six months of the crisis, targeting approximately 700,000 people in the most severely affected areas.
The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction across densely populated regions, damaging hospitals, infrastructure, and essential public services. According to official reports, thousands of people have died and more than 10,000 have been injured, placing extreme pressure on already fragile health systems.
PAHO stated that the emergency has now moved beyond the immediate rescue phase into a complex health response period, where hospitals remain overwhelmed and medical supplies are in short supply. Damaged infrastructure, including water, electricity, transport, and telecommunications systems, has further disrupted healthcare delivery.
The emergency appeal will focus on strengthening six key areas of response: emergency trauma and surgical care, restoration of essential health services, provision of medicines and vaccines, disease outbreak prevention, expansion of mental health and psychosocial support, and reinforcement of emergency coordination systems.
Health risks are expected to increase in the coming weeks due to overcrowded shelters, population displacement, disrupted vaccination programs, and compromised water and sanitation systems, raising the likelihood of communicable disease outbreaks.
PAHO has already deployed emergency teams, activated its incident management system, and mobilized medical supplies from its regional strategic reserves. It is also coordinating with national authorities and international partners to support hospitals and ensure continuity of care.
The organization has called on governments, international financial institutions, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector to support the appeal, emphasizing that timely investment is essential not only to save lives but also to prevent secondary public health crises during recovery.
PAHO leadership stressed that sustained global solidarity will be critical to rebuilding health systems and ensuring access to care for affected communities in Venezuela.
