The International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a USD 98 million appeal to support families and communities affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June, causing widespread loss of life, displacement and destruction across the country.
So far, according to the report, the death toll from earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, one minute apart, on June 24 in Venezuela reached over 5,000 and the injured people recorded 16,740 and over 20,000 people homeless.
IOM has assisted nearly 6,000 people in collective sites including La Guaira, Distrito Capital, Miranda, Carabobo, Aragua and Falcón under its coordination and delivered over 10,000 services, including temporary accommodation, health care, and protection assistance.
The IOM Venezuela Earthquake Appeal outlines the Organization’s response for 12 months and seeks funding to provide safe and dignified shelter, life-saving assistance, support early recovery efforts, and help affected communities rebuild in the months ahead.
Since the onset of the emergency, IOM has worked alongside Venezuelan authorities, United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners to support people affected by the earthquakes.
The Organization has been managing collective shelters, providing health and protection assistance, leading site coordination efforts in collective shelters, and helping displaced families access essential services.
Building on its longstanding presence in Venezuela and operational footprint across affected areas, IOM is scaling up its response through an integrated approach that addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term recovery priorities.
The appeal focuses on priority areas including shelter and site coordination, early recovery, and health. Together, these interventions aim to provide immediate relief while helping communities recover safely and with dignity.
IOM’s response will prioritize safety, dignity, accountability and inclusion, ensuring that affected people are at the centre of decision-making and recovery efforts.
The appeal reflects IOM’s broader commitment to supporting people affected by crises and displacement through locally-led, people-centred, and sustainable solutions.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has provided US $346 million for post-quake reconstruction, confirmed by the Interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
The funds would help Venezuela use its own reserve tranche to address immediate humanitarian needs, said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
The IMF and World Bank resumed cooperation with Venezuela in April after Nicolas Maduro was ousted in January this year which was suspended from 2019.
