CARACAS, Venezuela — The United Nations is leading a major international response following two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela, coordinating urban search and rescue teams from around the world while appealing for comprehensive global support for the devastated nation.

The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck within less than a minute of each other on June 24, 2026, west of Caracas. The powerful quakes caused widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, damaging infrastructure, and leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured or missing.

Dramatic images from the disaster zone show heavily damaged high-rise buildings, rescue workers searching through rubble, and civilians desperately trying to help trapped loved ones. A first responder is seen carrying an injured man from the debris, while others dig through concrete and twisted metal.

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has activated and deployed multiple international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to assist local efforts. Teams from the United States (including Los Angeles County and Fairfax County), Canada, the Czech Republic, and other nations have been mobilized to help locate survivors trapped under collapsed structures.

As rescue operations continue, the death toll has risen significantly, with reports indicating hundreds confirmed dead and thousands more unaccounted for. The earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century.

The UN has called for “total” international support — including financial aid, medical supplies, emergency shelter, and technical expertise — to help Venezuela recover from this major natural disaster. Humanitarian organizations are working to provide urgent assistance to affected families who have lost homes and loved ones.

The Venezuelan government and international partners are racing against time as aftershocks continue and the risk of further collapses remains high.

Our thoughts are with the people of Venezuela during this difficult time.