Up to 6.76 Million People May Be Impacted by Venezuela Quakes, UN Says

27/06/2026

Up to 6.76 Million People May Be Impacted by Venezuela Quakes, UN Says

CARACAS, June 27: Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week, the United Nations has warned, as emergency teams race to deliver aid amid widespread destruction and growing fears of mass displacement.

The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said preliminary estimates indicate that as many as 2 million people in Caracas alone could be impacted, underscoring the enormous humanitarian challenge facing the country.

Early satellite assessments revealed that 31.5% of buildings in Catia La Mar sustained damage, providing the first clear indication of the disaster's scale as rescue and damage assessments continue.

"The first hours and days after a disaster are decisive. They shape everything that follows," said Amy Pope, Director General of the IOM.

Pope said the agency is rapidly expanding its emergency response, with pre-positioned relief supplies already being deployed. Working alongside the Venezuelan government, the United Nations and humanitarian partners, the IOM is providing emergency shelter, essential supplies and protection to those most affected.

"It is already clear that displacement will increase, as people seek safety," Pope said, stressing that a swift humanitarian response is critical to save lives and support communities in the weeks and months ahead.

Emergency relief items stored in Caracas are now being prepared for distribution to the hardest-hit areas as aid agencies coordinate relief operations.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude, occurring just 39 seconds apart.

The stronger 7.5-magnitude quake struck about 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare in Yaracuy state, while the 7.2-magnitude quake hit approximately 23.9 kilometers northeast of San Felipe, triggering widespread damage and raising concerns over a prolonged humanitarian crisis.