Venezuela

The Crisis:

On 24 June 2026, Venezuela experienced two major earthquakes in rapid succession, causing catastrophic damage across Caracas, La Guaira and surrounding areas. Residential buildings, hotels, public infrastructure and essential services suffered extensive damage, while search and rescue teams continue to recover survivors from collapsed structures.

Hospitals are operating under immense pressure as they treat large numbers of injured people, while aftershocks continue to threaten already weakened buildings. Many families have lost their homes and are sheltering in temporary conditions, often without reliable access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities or essential household items.

The disaster has struck a country already facing significant humanitarian challenges. Years of economic instability have weakened healthcare systems, reduced household resilience and limited the ability of communities to recover from major shocks. As a result, many families affected by the earthquake require immediate humanitarian assistance to meet their most basic needs.

While the full scale of the disaster continues to emerge, local organisations have already begun responding. However, many lack the financial resources required to scale their operations quickly enough to meet growing humanitarian needs.

Our Response

Rather than establishing our own operational presence, the Yashchenko Foundation will identify, assess and support experienced Venezuelan humanitarian organisations already working in the affected communities.

This locally led approach enables assistance to reach affected families more quickly while strengthening organisations that possess local knowledge, established community relationships and existing operational capacity.

Before any funding is awarded, prospective partners will undergo comprehensive organisational, financial and compliance due diligence. Grants will only be awarded to organisations that demonstrate strong governance, financial accountability and the capacity to deliver effective humanitarian assistance.

Funding may be used to support activities including:

• Emergency shelter materials and household essentials.
• Safe drinking water and emergency WASH activities.
• Hygiene kits and sanitation supplies.
• Emergency food assistance.
• Essential healthcare and medical supplies.
• Protection services for vulnerable people, including children, older people and people with disabilities.
• Immediate livelihood support where families have lost their primary means of income.

Throughout the response, the Yashchenko Foundation will maintain regular oversight through financial reporting, programme monitoring and direct engagement with our local partners to ensure funds are used effectively and transparently.

Support us

Donate to our Venezuela Appeal here:

We are actively seeking support to scale our emergency response in Venezuela. If you or your organisation would like to contribute funding, in-kind donations, or partnership support, please contact us at: [email protected].