Catastrophic doublet earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24, producing the most powerful seismic event recorded in the country in over a century. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is coordinating with public and private sector partners to support response and recovery efforts.
Below is the latest information on active NGOs, resources, and ways to help. This page will provide up-to-date guidance and resources to help the business community effectively contribute to response efforts. We will continue to update this list as more information becomes available.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted a private sector coordination call for companies interested in supporting relief efforts following the earthquakes in Venezuela. This call provided an opportunity to hear directly from the U.S. State Department and others on current on-the-ground operations and priority needs.
NGOs Assisting with Relief Efforts
The following organizations are on the ground or actively mobilizing for the earthquakes in Venezuela:
Community-Based Organizations
- Send Relief: Providing emergency assistance and long-term recovery support in partnership with local organizations.
- Catholic Relief Services: Working with Caritas Venezuela and local churches to provide shelter, food, medical care, and other critical relief.
- Samaritan’s Purse: Sending a Disaster Assistance Response Team and airlifting an Emergency Field Hospital, as well as shelter tarp, solar lights, blankets, and water filters to Venezuela.
- World Vision: Mobilizing teams and resources to support families affected by the earthquake with food, water, and health care.
Food and Shelter
- All Hands and Hearts: Distributing food, water, and Starlinks for internet access and seeking help expediting customs clearance for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) kits.
- World Central Kitchen: WCK’s Relief Team is working with long-time partners in the country to support impacted families.
Logistics
- Airlink: Coordinating donated and discounted airlift with commercial airline partners to transport humanitarian responders and critical relief supplies into Venezuela. Airlink is also working with NGO partners to facilitate the rapid movement of emergency personnel and life-saving cargo, helping overcome access, capacity, and cost barriers to accelerate response operations in affected areas.
- Convoy of Hope: Providing immediate relief and long-term recovery to those in need through the Crisis Relief Fund.
- Global Empowerment Mission: Partnering with I Love Venezuela in mobilizing an emergency response team to assess needs and distribute aid. Also looking for volunteers to help pack aid.
Medical and Health
- Americares: Mobilizing medical relief by delivering essential medicines, medical supplies, orthopedic and surgical equipment, and hygiene resources, while partnering with local health organizations to support emergency care and maintain critical health services.
- Direct Relief: Communicating with local and regional organizations about medical needs and will mobilize medical aid deliveries to help address immediate and near-term health requests
- International Medical Corps: Deployed members of their in-country team to the affected region to assess needs, working in close collaboration with local officials and emergency responders.
- Project HOPE: Treating patients through Project HOPE clinics, deployed four assessment teams to affected areas, and mobilizing medical assistance, with international emergency medical personnel and a K-9 Search and Rescue team on standby.
- Save the Children: Launched a Children’s Emergency Fund and addressing urgent needs by providing food, clean water, hygiene supplies, and healthcare. The organization is also protecting children’s well-being through family reunification efforts, providing psychosocial support, and establishing safe spaces where they can learn and recover.
Helpful Resources
- Charity Navigator: Vetted relief organizations
- U.N. OCHA: Venezuela
- U.S. Embassy in Caracas: Earthquake Response
- U.S. Department of State: Travel alerts
- U.S. Department of State: Earthquake response
Providing Financial Support
Financial contributions are most effective. Cash assists with bolstering the supply chains of responders already positioned to meet humanitarian needs, while also avoiding burdening those supply chains with goods that are well intended but not appropriate for this particular crisis.
For any questions, please contact resilience@uschamber.com.
