EU allocates additional €20 million in aid as Venezuela earthquake death toll reaches 4,829

The double earthquake on 24 June

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026. A magnitude 7.2 tremor hit about 200 kilometres west of Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 shock. The epicentre lay roughly 160 km from the capital, in the northern state of La Guaira, which suffered the heaviest damage. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, hundreds of aftershocks followed. The quakes caused 190 buildings to collapse and left 856 others damaged.

Death toll passes 4,800

On 15 July, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced that the confirmed death toll had reached 4,829, up from 4,561 recorded the previous Monday. The number of injured remained stable at 16,740, most of whom have since been discharged from hospital. Displacement figures vary: the official Telegram update from Rodríguez put the number of homeless at 17,907, while other government reports speak of more than 20,800 people living in 106 makeshift camps. The camps, many set up in schools in Caracas and the neighbouring states of Miranda and La Guaira, suffer from overcrowding and lack adequate water and sanitation. The United Nations estimates that up to 50,000 people remain unaccounted for.

Portuguese community counts 119 dead

Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on 15 July that 119 Portuguese nationals and Luso-Venezuelans died in the disaster. Among them were 96 adults and, depending on the source, 22 or 23 minors; 102 of the victims also held Venezuelan citizenship. The number of missing Portuguese citizens dropped from 51 to 50. Opposition party Partido Socialista urged the Portuguese government to create an urgent support programme for the affected community.

In this general framework of great complexity and urgent need, it is time for Portugal to stand by its community in an urgent, structured way, on the scale of the tragedy.

EU boosts humanitarian aid by 20 million euros

The European Union released an extra 10 million euros in humanitarian funding for the hardest-hit communities, with another 10 million subject to budget authority approval to support search-and-rescue and medical teams. This brings the bloc’s total earthquake-related aid to 25 million euros, adding to a 5 million euro package approved at the end of June. Earlier in 2026, the EU had allocated 52 million euros to address the broader humanitarian consequences of Venezuela’s socioeconomic crisis. The funding is channelled exclusively through UN agencies and international NGOs.

Two EU-funded flights have already landed in Venezuela under the Humanitarian Air Bridge, delivering nearly 80 tonnes of essential supplies. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, 18 member states have mobilised around 750 rescuers and experts, along with rescue equipment, medicines, shelter items, and a satellite telecommunications platform. The Copernicus emergency satellite service provided detailed mapping of the affected areas.

Commissioner Lahbib visits Caracas

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib arrived in Caracas on 15 July to demonstrate what the Commission described as unwavering support. She met with Venezuelan officials and highlighted the speed of the European response.

The Venezuelan people are close to our heart.

Reconstruction efforts will be long-term. The Portuguese Socialists have additionally called on Lisbon to create incentives for Portuguese companies to bid for rebuilding contracts, hoping to turn the recovery into an engine for local employment and economic revival.