The two devastating earthquakes that shook the central-northern region of Venezuela on June 24 are among the most destructive recorded in the country in over a century. According to the latest reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), they affected around 1.3 million people, causing more than 5,300 deaths and nearly 16,700 injuries, and left thousands of homes destroyed or severely damaged.
After the first few weeks focused on the most urgent actions —such as rescue operations, emergency healthcare, distribution of water and food, and the establishment of temporary shelters for the victims—, the priorities of the authorities and humanitarian organizations are now focused on the recovery of infrastructure, the reopening of schools, the reconstruction of homes, and the restoration of economic activity.
The ”la Caixa” Foundation, through the Spanish Emergency Committee and UNICEF Spain, launched a solidarity campaign on July 24 that will remain active for a year. Both organizations will be responsible for channeling donations and coordinating reconstruction projects in the affected areas.
The foundation has taken on the commitment to allocate up to one million euros through a co-financing system. That is: for every euro donated by citizens, companies, and other organizations, the entity will contribute another additional euro, up to a maximum of one million euros.
The funds raised by the Spanish Emergency Committee, an alliance of humanitarian organizations that coordinates the response and fundraising for major international disasters, will be used to repair basic infrastructure, rebuild homes, support farmers, small businesses, and workers, establish temporary classrooms, and provide psychological support to the affected individuals. This platform currently includes eight international organizations: Action Against Hunger, SOS Children’s Villages, Educo, Entreculturas, Doctors of the World, Oxfam Intermón, Plan International, and World Vision.
UNICEF, for its part, will focus on recovering essential services for children and families. The funds will help repair schools and water and sanitation systems, provide medical care and nutritional support to vulnerable children and families, and offer protection and psychological support to minors who have suffered the consequences of the earthquakes.