Action Against Hunger Warns: Urgent Action Needed to Assist Thousands of People in Venezuela

The organization is stepping up its response in more than 40 makeshift settlements where severe shortages of water, sanitation, and safe shelter persist.

Toronto, Ontario, 30 June 2026. More than a week after the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela, the emergency is entering a phase characterized by the prolonged displacement of thousands of people and increasing risks to public health.

Thousands of people continue to live in parks, stadiums and community centers in extremely precarious conditions, with little access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. As search and rescue operations draw to a close, the humanitarian situation is worsening, particularly in La Guaira, the worst-affected area, where many families are still sleeping outdoors or in informal shelters.

“It is important to create safe conditions for all these people who have been left homeless, and to do this we are focusing our support on the areas where the population still living away from their homes is concentrated, in coordination with other national and international organizations.”, explains Dunia de Barnola, director of Action Against Hunger in Venezuela. “Right now, given the scale of the tragedy, there are many urgent needs that must be addressed to prevent the health situation from worsening,” adds Dunia de Barnola.

In some of the worst-affected areas, such as La Guaira, thousands of people continue to live outdoors for fear of further aftershocks or lack of safe accommodation. Although temporary shelters have been set up, their capacity remains limited, and many families wish to stay close to their damaged homes to protect their belongings and maintain their support networks.

Immediate priority: water, sanitation and decent living conditions

Action Against Hunger is focusing its efforts on water, sanitation and health – key areas for preventing a deterioration in living conditions in the settlements and reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.

In the coming hours, the organization will expand the distribution of hygiene kits and essential items at several critical locations, including temporary accommodation in La Guaira and Caracas, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly and children.

A coordinated response adapted to a complex context

Action Against Hunger has stepped up its operations in Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda and Falcón, coordinating with other organizations involved in the response and combining the distribution of emergency aid with ongoing assessments to adapt its activities to a constantly evolving situation.

Among the most recent actions are:

• Support for the worst-affected areas, particularly in La Guaira, where needs continue to rise: the organization is supporting hundreds of families who have lost their homes by distributing menstrual hygiene kits, personal hygiene kits, nappies for babies and adults, as well as other essential items and cleaning supplies
• Support for elderly people in shelters, through the provision of hygiene kits and nappies tailored to their needs.
• Support for rescue and civil protection teams, through the provision of personal protective equipment (helmets, gloves, goggles), tools (picks, shovels), torches and logistical supplies for operations on the ground.
• Conducting multi-sectoral assessments in coordination with the other organizations working on the emergency and with the United Nations system

“We need hygiene kits, places to rehydrate and basic supplies so that we can carry on working. Any support is vital to ensure these operations can continue,” says José Luis Núñez, director of the Caracas Metropolitan Rescue Group (GREMCA).

An emergency that will continue for some time

“The country is facing an emergency that will not end with the conclusion of the rescue operations. Recovery will require a sustained effort over time, particularly to ensure dignified and safe living conditions for thousands of families,” says Benedetta Lettera, Head of Operations for Action Against Hunger in Latin America.

In light of this situation, Action Against Hunger stresses the importance of maintaining and strengthening support to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, particularly in key areas such as access to safe water, sanitation, healthcare and protection.

The organization also points out that, as local markets continue to function in much of the country, financial donations are the most effective way to help, as they enable a rapid, flexible response tailored to the real needs of the affected population.