On 24 June 2026, northern Venezuela was struck by two devastating earthquakes just 40 seconds apart, the strongest the country has experienced in more than 125 years.
More than 1,700 people have died, over 5,000 have been injured and almost 16,000 families have been affected as homes, schools and essential infrastructure were destroyed.
Many Christian charities have mobilised quickly to respond. The response of some of these are listed below and more will be added as information emerges:
CAFOD
CAFOD has committed an initial £100,000 to support its trusted Church partners in Venezuela as they respond to the devastating earthquakes. Working alongside local communities, they are providing emergency food, clean water and hygiene kits, while also helping families access shelter and begin the long process of recovery. Recognising that many communities were already facing significant hardship before the disaster, CAFOD's response is focused on both immediate relief and long-term rebuilding. Donations will help ensure support continues long after the search and rescue phase has ended, enabling vulnerable families to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope's Disaster Response Team is already on the ground in Venezuela, providing practical support to families affected by the earthquakes. Working alongside local churches, the team is serving hot meals, distributing safe drinking water, hygiene kits and other essential supplies to people who have lost homes and loved ones. As emergency relief continues, Convoy of Hope is committed to remaining alongside communities throughout the months and years of recovery. Every donation helps provide life-saving assistance today while strengthening local churches as they care for their neighbours and help families rebuild after the disaster.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid has released emergency funds to their network of trusted local partners who were well-placed to respond within hours of the earthquakes. Mobile health clinics are delivering primary care, mental health and psychosocial support, while medical supplies are being provided to health centres.
Emergency shelter and household kits support families whose homes were damaged or destroyed, and food, water and hygiene kits are being distributed. Cash grants enable the most vulnerable households to meet their own most urgent needs directly.
Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse has deployed an Emergency Field Hospital capable of treating more than 100 patients each day, providing vital medical care after 38 local hospitals were damaged by the earthquakes.
Alongside medical treatment, teams have airlifted blankets, shelter kits and water filtration systems to meet urgent physical needs. They are also offering prayer and pastoral support to those grieving unimaginable loss. One man, waiting three sleepless nights for news of his missing wife, told the team: "I had a lot of hope of getting my wife alive." Staff prayed with him and many others, asking God to bring comfort and strength.
Support Samaritan's Purse
ShelterBox
ShelterBox is preparing to provide emergency shelter and essential household items to families left homeless after the earthquakes. Working with a trusted local partner, the charity is carrying out rapid needs assessments to ensure help reaches those most affected. With more than 25 years of disaster response experience,
ShelterBox expects to distribute emergency shelter kits, solar lights, blankets and sleeping mats, helping families remain safe, protected and together as they begin to recover. Every gift enables more families to receive practical support that restores dignity, provides security and lays the foundations for rebuilding their lives.
Tearfund
Tearfund is responding through trusted local faith partners and church networks already serving communities across Venezuela. Despite damaged infrastructure and widespread disruption, local teams are providing emergency food, shelter, medical care and trauma support to survivors.
Isaac Delgado, General Director of the Baptist Convention of Venezuela, described the situation: "We are looking at a critical situation with collapsed residential buildings... and thousands of families currently sleeping in the street... our teams are on the ground directly assisting the victims."
Donations will equip churches to provide both immediate relief and ongoing care for vulnerable families.
World Vision UK
Having worked across all 23 states of Venezuela since 2019, World Vision UK is well placed to respond rapidly through its network of staff, churches and community volunteers. Teams are already mobilising to deliver emergency food, clean water and essential supplies, while supporting survivors and protecting vulnerable children in the aftermath of the disaster.
Alongside immediate relief, World Vision is helping families begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding resilient communities. As the organisation says, "In moments like these, timely action saves lives," inviting supporters to bring hope, protection and practical help when it is needed most.
The charities listed are Stewardship partner organisations who responded to our request for information about their activity. If you would like another charity to be added, please contact [email protected].
You can also explore other charities operating in this type of work through our International Aid & Development cause cross.
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Clare Walker
Clare is part of the Opportunities Team, growing and developing new relationships with Churches and Charities and joined Stewardship in 2023.
Clare is excited to support causes to flourish and achieve more Kingdom impact, through joyful generosity. Previously Head of Engagement across England for Home for Good and a teacher for more than 20 years, Clare has also been a Trustee of Scripture Union and her local church. Clare has always been part of tiny rural churches and loves the richness of community that can be found living in a Somerset village.
