Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026. Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
Following a pair of intense earthquakes that struck north-central Venezuela on Wednesday evening, relief operations have been initiated, resulting in over 160 fatalities and nearly 1,000 injuries reported as of Thursday morning.
Early Thursday, emergency personnel were engaged in "comprehensive rescue missions," seeking individuals believed to be trapped beneath debris, according to statements from Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated he conferred with Rodriguez and confirmed that the United States is dispatching search and rescue units to the affected nation.
Here's how you can assist those impacted by the seismic events:
Rescue workers search through the rubble after an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
Global Empowerment Mission
Global Empowerment Mission, a humanitarian aid non-profit headquartered in Doral, Florida, has announced its collaboration with a Venezuelan counterpart to address the ongoing crisis.
"Our reconnaissance and emergency response teams are mobilizing immediately and are projected to be on location this Friday," the organization stated on its website. "From there, we will be evaluating needs, coordinating with local collaborators, and commencing our response operations."
Find out more by clicking here.
International Federation of the Red Cross
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has reported that the Venezuelan Red Cross is actively engaged in providing aid through its network of hospitals and clinics, which continue to offer medical care.
Search and rescue teams are assisting with evacuation and recovery efforts, and four assessment teams have been dispatched to the most severely impacted regions.
According to the IFRC, the most immediate anticipated necessities encompass "search and rescue, temporary shelter for families displaced from their homes, and emergency medical services, including trauma care and psychological support. Access to safe water and sanitation, along with essential household provisions, are also expected to be priorities in the coming hours and days."
The Venezuelan Red Cross noted that its central office was among the structures affected by the earthquake, and the organization is currently verifying the well-being of its personnel and volunteers.
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A man walks among the rubble of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in La Guaira, Venezuela, June 25, 2026.Pedro Mattey/AP Photo
Save the Children
Save the Children, an international non-governmental organization, stated that it is "responding and working urgently with teams and partners to assess needs and support affected children and families."
The organization indicated that while the full scope of the devastation is not yet clear, past events suggest children will require immediate assistance, including provisions for food, water, shelter, and healthcare.
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OCHA
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is swiftly deploying Urban Search and Rescue teams, which are highly specialized emergency response units, through the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, a UN advisory body.
"Devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. I am in close communication with our team in Caracas to ensure a full and prompt response, including support for search and rescue operations and emergency relief for survivors," stated Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. "International solidarity is arriving. We will require everyone’s cooperation."
Various UN agencies, including the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration, the Office for Project Services, UNICEF, and the UN Refugee Agency, have expressed their readiness to support response efforts and, in some instances, have already begun mobilizing assistance.
Find out more by clicking here.
People walk past a collapsed building following an earthquake in Caracas, June 25, 2026.Manaure Quintero/AFP via Getty Images
World Vision
World Vision, a Christian humanitarian aid and advocacy non-profit organization, posted on X that it is "assessing needs" and preparing to respond to the earthquakes in Venezuela.
The organization shared personal testimonies from staff members who were affected by the seismic activity.
Luis Colmenarez, a regional specialist in emergency content and communications for World Vision in Barquisimeto, situated approximately 217 miles west of the capital, Caracas, recounted being inside a cinema when the earthquakes occurred.
"People started running amidst screams and cries. Children were wailing. Some individuals began to pray; panic engulfed the theater, and the darkness made it impossible to locate the exit," Colmenarez stated, according to the post on X. "Some people tripped and fell. All of this happened while we were attempting to find an emergency exit. The tremors lasted between two and three minutes – it felt like an eternity."
Find out more by clicking here.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com