Thousands Left Homeless in Venezuela After Devastating Earthquakes

In the wake of the devastating earthquakes on June 24, 2026, over 17,345 people have been left homeless in Venezuela, according to the official report released by Jorge Rodríguez, the President of the National Assembly, on July 5.

The catastrophic event, which marks the most severe seismic disaster in Venezuela since 1900, led to the collapse or disabling of numerous buildings across the northern regions of the country.

The twin earthquakes, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, struck just 39 seconds apart, with their epicenter located near Morón/Yaracuy. The states of La Guaira, Caracas, and other northern regions such as Falcón, Miranda, and Carabobo bore the brunt of the destruction.

Out of 856 buildings affected, a total of 190 structures were completely destroyed, with 158 of these collapses occurring in La Guaira.

NASA's satellite analysis identified that 58,870 buildings in the region suffered damage, estimating around 1.2 million tons of debris accumulated in the aftermath.

In an effort to address the crisis, the Venezuelan regime established 79 temporary camps for those displaced, though reports from the ground suggest a significant disparity between official claims and actual conditions.

Human rights organization Vente Venezuela documented the situation in Carayaca, La Guaira, noting that numerous homes were impacted, leaving families without effective relocation.

Days following the earthquake, the organization also assessed the eastern part of Caracas, stating: “Some buildings have completely collapsed, while others are so severely damaged that they remain uninhabitable. The emergency persists, and many families continue to need support.”

A journalist reporting from Catia La Mar expressed the extent of the devastation: “I’ve covered disaster zones, seen earthquakes where parts of cities are affected. Here, it’s everything—a whole city in total ruin. It's indescribable.”

The official figures released on July 5 recorded 3,342 deaths and 16,740 injuries. However, these numbers sharply contrast with international estimates: the United States Geological Survey issued a Red Alert predicting between 10,000 and 100,000 deaths, while the UN and the International Rescue Committee estimated between 50,000 and 68,000 missing individuals.

Civil platforms reported over 71,203 people unaccounted for, yet the Venezuelan government has not provided an official estimate of the missing, raising concerns over the transparency of information.

The response operation involved 4,088 international rescuers from more than 15 countries, alongside 29,567 personnel and 27,482 volunteers. Additionally, 9,585 tons of food and 669,008 liters of water were distributed, yet hundreds of families in Caraballeda and Maiquetía had been sleeping on the streets for more than ten days without relocation as of July 4.

The UNDP has estimated the material damage at $6.7 billion, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela’s GDP, exacerbating an already severe economic and humanitarian crisis predating the earthquakes.

Since June 24, a total of 995 aftershocks have been recorded. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez pledged on June 30 that new homes would be provided for the displaced by the end of 2026, a promise yet to be fulfilled for tens of thousands of families.