Following powerful earthquakes that have brought widespread devastation to northern Venezuela, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is mobilizing immediate, life-saving assistance to support affected communities and address urgent humanitarian needs.

Two of the strongest earthquakes in over a century struck northern Venezuela on June 24. A magnitude 7.2 foreshock and a magnitude 7.5 mainshock, 39 seconds apart, caused structural collapses and devastation in the capital city of Caracas, as well as La Guaira, and across several states. More than 430 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quakes.

Assessment teams estimate that 95% of the infrastructure in La Guaira has been affected. There is a complete suspension of essential basic services – electricity, water, gas and telecommunications remain totally or intermittently interrupted in areas of La Guaira, limiting access to reliable information and basic services.

According to the needs assessments, the immediate priorities are search and rescue, dignified management of the deceased, family reunification services, emergency shelter for families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, and emergency medical care, including trauma care and psychosocial and mental health support. Access to safe water and sanitation, as well as essential household items, are also priorities.

The full human impact of this disaster is not yet known, and as aftershocks continue, stress and anxiety are widespread. In the affected areas, families are staying on the streets and in open spaces, such as plazas and sports fields, either because they fear aftershocks, are unable to return to their homes, or are waiting for news about family members trapped under the rubble.

The Venezuelan Red Cross is operational and responding to the needs of those affected alongside the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

326 volunteers and 62 staff members of the Venezuelan Red Cross are supporting the response. The Venezuelan Red Cross health network — 8 hospitals and 34 polyclinics — remains active, and the Venezuelan Red Cross has set up a field hospital and two first-aid stations in La Guaira.

The first 17 metric tons of humanitarian aid sent by the IFRC to support the Venezuelan Red Cross's response have arrived in the country. The IFRC has also deployed several specially trained international responders to support response operations, communications, health and finance, and is working to mobilize additional support as needed in the coming days and weeks.

With communications disrupted and many families separated, Red Cross societies in 10 countries — Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay — have activated Restoring Family Links services and are preparing to accept tracing and welfare requests. Family members in the United States that are unable to contact loved ones in Venezuela as a result of the earthquakes can initiate a search through the Restoring Family Links program by submitting an International Reconnecting Families Inquiry Form or calling our free national helpline at +1 844-782-9441. The Venezuelan Red Cross is currently focused on immediate response efforts, and it may be some time before they are able to process welfare requests.

The American Red Cross is closely coordinating with the IFRC to understand how we may be able to support response efforts in the coming days.

More information from the IFRC on the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response is available in English and Spanish.