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Stamford, Conn. – July 7, 2026 – An Americares-supported medical team has arrived in Venezuela to restore access to care after the strongest earthquakes in a century devastated the northern part of the country.
Back-to-back earthquakes on June 24 killed more than 3,500 people, injured more than 16,000 and left nearly 18,000 survivors without homes, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The twin earthquakes—a 7.2 magnitude followed by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake less than a minute later—caused widespread destruction and prompted a massive search and rescue effort to rescue thousands of people trapped under rubble.
In response, Americares is funding a Colombia-based emergency medical team scheduled to begin providing essential primary care services in Venezuela tomorrow. Americares is supporting the Barco Hospital San Raffaele Emergency Medical Team’s temporary clinic in Alí Primera Park in Caracas. Staffed by 35 professionals, the team can provide health services for up to 150 patients a day, including treatment for earthquake-related injuries, refills of essential medications, laboratory testing, dental care and mental health and psychosocial support. The organization has 18 years of experience providing emergency medical care through Barco Hospital San Raffaele and its World Health Organization-certified emergency medical team. In addition to the support from Americares, the medical team is receiving support from Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
“Families lost loved ones, homes and access to essential services in a matter of minutes, upending lives,” said Americares Deputy Senior Vice President of Emergency Programs Provash Budden. “Our support will expand access to health care for survivors while easing the burden on a health system that was already struggling with shortages of medicines, medical supplies and health workers before the earthquakes. As the medical needs continue to grow, we’re working with trusted partners to help ensure survivors can receive treatment for injuries, manage chronic conditions and get the care they need during this difficult time.”
At the same time, a water purification system deployed by Americares will provide clean drinking water for the emergency medical clinic as well as residents of the surrounding area, helping to reduce the risk of waterborne disease. An Americares emergency response expert based in Caracas will coordinate shipments of medicine and relief supplies to support the clinic’s operations as well as other health facilities in affected areas.
Americares has also provided emergency funding to Corazones por la Vida, a nonprofit organization working in Venezuela, to support the procurement and distribution of essential medicines, medical supplies, hygiene kits, first aid supplies and other critical relief items for earthquake survivors in the hardest-hit communities. Americares is coordinating its earthquake response with the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and other disaster response organizations.
Americares responds to 30 natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide each year, establishes long-term recovery projects and brings preparedness programs to communities vulnerable to disasters. Americares relief workers are among the first to respond to emergencies, helping to restore health services for survivors. After disasters, the organization often stays for months—or years—helping communities recover.
Americares has a long history of responding to major earthquakes, including the 2023 Türkiye and Syria earthquake, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the 2010 and 2021 earthquakes in Haiti and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Donations to Americares Venezuela Earthquake Relief Fund will support its response. To donate, go to www.americares.org/EarthquakeResponse