On June 25, 2026, hundreds of thousands of people in northern Venezuela were left homeless. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, shook the country, causing countless homes and bridges to collapse.

According to Venezuelan government figures, at least 6,000 people died, 17,000 were injured, and 18,000 are considered homeless. Tens of thousands of people are missing.

The biggest challenge is the drinking water supply. Water trucks rattle along destroyed roads, where people living in tents are also trying to establish some semblance of daily life. The water they bring isn’t always safe, which puts people at just as much risk as the dust stirred up by the heavy machinery as it clears away the rubble.

Even as the media turns its attention to other issues, life for people in the earthquake-affected areas has not yet improved. They are mourning their loved ones, neighbors, and friends—as well as the loss of their livelihoods.

This makes the aid they receive from organizations like Helvetas all the more important. Thanks to funding from Swiss Solidarity, our partner organizations can provide a little relief to 700 families—about 3,500 women, men, and children. They receive:

• Tent supplies
• Food
• Water purification tablets
• Hygiene supplies—especially for women and young children

Helvetas is installing water storage facilities and handwashing stations for the community. The safety and dignity of the people are always at the heart of this aid.

Looking ahead to the near future, Helvetas and its partner organizations in Venezuela are planning to restore water supplies in remote communities and schools, where sanitation facilities will also be repaired. In addition, Helvetas is supporting the proper disposal of debris and rubble and promoting the recycling of building materials for reconstruction. This work is intended to create job opportunities for the affected population, so that people who have lost everything can once again lay the foundation for their own livelihoods.

Knowing that they are not alone in their suffering is just as important for the people in northern Venezuela. That is why your support is so crucial.

Thank you for continuing to help these people who have lost everything.

Impressions from the earthquake-stricken area in Venezuela