Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela. More than 1,000 people have lost their lives, thousands have been injured, and nearly 70,000 people are currently reported missing. As rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble, Save the Children and its local partners are scaling up emergency support for affected children and their families.
Children are at risk
Many children and their families have lost their homes and are sleeping outdoors or in temporary shelters. Ongoing aftershocks mean many are too afraid to return home.
“We are seeing so many families on the street – families who have lost everything and cannot return to the shattered ruins of their homes. Protection and psychosocial support are urgent priorities for children.” said Fatima Andraca.
Children’s education has also been severely disrupted. Schools across the affected areas remain closed, with some being used as emergency shelters or humanitarian distribution centres. For many children, this means losing not only access to learning, but also an important place of safety, stability and routine.
For children, the loss of everything familiar and comforting are immeasurable.
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Our emergency response in Venezuela
Together with local partners, Save the Children is delivering emergency support in the affected areas. The initial response is focused on La Guaira, Catia La Mar and the worst-affected parts of Caracas.
Our teams are providing:
- Child protection and psychosocial support: We are providing psychological first aid and establishing Child-Friendly Spaces where children can process distressing experiences, take part in safe, structured learning and recreational activities, and regain a sense of normality.
- Health, nutrition and safe drinking water: We are preparing mobile health services, providing safe drinking water, hygiene kits and other essential relief items, and supporting nutrition screening for children.
- Education: We are helping children continue learning and return to school safely by providing learning materials, establishing temporary learning spaces and supporting teachers to respond to children’s emotional needs and distress.
Within 24 hours of the earthquakes, Save the Children released US$1.5 million from the Children’s Emergency Fund to rapidly scale up the response. We aim to reach 350,000 people, including 200,000 children.