Mercy Corps launches on-the-ground response in Venezuela in the aftermath of devastating twin earthquakes

June 26, 2026

As Venezuela copes with the mounting toll following devastating twin earthquakes, Mercy Corps is on the ground in the country and working to develop response plans, in coordination with longstanding regional partners. The death toll has surpassed 900 and over 51,000 people are missing.

This latest crisis compounds an already-fragile infrastructure in the country. Over the past decade, a severe humanitarian crisis has left 70% of Venezuela’s population in urgent need of assistance. Since 2018, Mercy Corps has been in Venezuela and neighboring Colombia, delivering lifesaving aid while building long-term resilience. Though we recently transitioned our country programming to local partners late last year, in light of this crisis, we are back on the ground.

Our work in Venezuela since 2019 has impacted over 496,000 people—distributing medical supplies, strengthening maternal care, delivering cash assistance, and equipping communities with entrepreneurship training and savings groups to build stability and resilience.

Mercy Corps’ emergency response in Venezuela will focus on basic needs, including provision of cash, food and non-food items, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs, as well as support to community health facilities which have sustained damage.

Hugh Aprile, Mercy Corps’ Vice President, Latin America and the Caribbean, says:

“The destruction we are witnessing in Venezuela reminds us of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Venezuelans who were already facing dire economic conditions that forced millions to flee over the past decade must now rebuild. We stand with Venezuelans in this moment of catastrophe.”

Support for Mercy Corps today could help us respond to this crisis, and other urgent crises wherever and whenever we are able.

Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian and development organization with teams working in more than 30 countries affected by conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and economic instability. Nearly 95% of our staff are from the countries where they work, giving us direct insight into events as they unfold and the longer-term trends driving them.


 

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