Death toll in Venezuela approaches 5,000; Recovery intensifies

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(OSV News) – Twin earthquakes in Venezuela have killed nearly 5,000 people, according to government officials, prompting a widespread mobilization of humanitarian aid organizations.

In a July 15 update on X, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced the latest figures, confirming that the death toll from successive disasters had reached 4,829.

The twin earthquakes that struck the northern state of La Guaira on the evening of June 24, measuring 7.2 and 7.5, were the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

According to the numbers published by Rodriguez, the number of injured currently stands at 16,740. The earthquakes left 17,907 people homeless, with 20,857 individuals currently seeking shelter in 106 temporary camps. Infrastructure damage included 856 damaged buildings and 190 structural collapses.

6,462 people were rescued from disaster areas

Emergency crews rescued 6,462 people from disaster areas, and seismologists recorded 1,284 aftershocks. In a report published by UNICEF, the United Nations children’s agency, on July 16, hundreds of aftershocks continued to increase risks and hamper recovery efforts.

The organization noted that the severe damage caused by the earthquakes, especially to homes and schools, had created a “major humanitarian emergency focused on children,” as well as the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and people with disabilities.

Catholics around the world have joined efforts to raise money to help Venezuelans struggling to find basic supplies, food and medicine.

People receive humanitarian aid in Tanaguarina, Venezuela, on July 14, 2026, following the June 24 earthquakes. Two catastrophic earthquakes have struck Venezuela in quick succession, killing at least 5,000 people and leaving thousands still missing. (OSV News Photo/Gaby Ora, Reuters)

The Episcopal Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, known as CELAM, posted a video on X on July 15, urging Catholics to donate to Caritas Venezuela, after launching their campaign, “Tras el teblor, el amor” (“After the earthquake, love”).

Progress reports on humanitarian aid

The campaign includes progress reports on the humanitarian aid received by Catholic Charities and where it is distributed. In its July 10 report, Caritas Venezuela said it distributed 13,050 metric tons of aid in the 10 days following the twin earthquakes.

Water represented the largest share of the aid distributed, amounting to 5,612 tons, followed closely by 5,220 tons of food supplies. The organization also distributed 1,305 tons of hygiene products and 914 tons of donated clothes.

One of Caritas Venezuela’s partners helping to distribute aid is Catholic Relief Services – an official humanitarian and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Abroad.

US agency spokeswoman Brittany Fichtendahl told OSV News on July 8 that CRS is “working very closely” with its partner inside the country.

Buildings ‘destroyed themselves’

Upon arriving in the Latin American country on July 9, Rubén Fizer, who coordinates Catholic Relief Services’ emergency communications on the ground, discovered that “there were blocks of buildings that were in on themselves. There was massive destruction of the blocks.”

“The area looked a bit like a war zone,” said Vizer, speaking to OSV News from Venezuela in a July 13 phone call. She asked people to “keep Venezuelans in their hearts.”

In Bolivia, Caritas announced a nationwide fundraising campaign in parishes on July 26, urging donations to provide food, medicine and temporary housing for victims in Venezuela.

In a statement issued on July 16, Bishop Heiner Filmer of Hildesheim, president of the German Bishops’ Conference, called on the country’s Catholics to pray for Venezuelans and encouraged them to donate to Caritas Venezuela.

Donations from German nationals and individuals

He noted that initial donations made by German parishes and individuals were “received with great gratitude in Venezuela” and distributed by Caritas.

“Through them, our aid reaches directly to those in need,” Bishop Wilmer said. “We must not abandon earthquake victims and we must help now.”

The bishop added: “The Church’s partners on the ground can distribute aid supplies quickly and effectively; they also support people who are often suffering from severe trauma through psychosocial services. Reconstruction will take years.” “Please support Caritas International’s vital emergency relief efforts with your donation.”

Junno Arocho Esteves is an international correspondent for OSV News. Follow him on @Xjae_journalist. OSV News multimedia reporter Jenna Christian contributed to this story. Follow her on @XGinaJesseReina.

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